Vietnam Travel Tips Pocket

Traveling to a new country is a great chance to learn about their cultures, the destinations, enjoy their landscapes and the great things as well as the great local foods, the good habits of the Vietnam Local people. But what is the best travel tips should know and remember before traveling to Vietnam? We share this post for whom planning to Vietnam in first time and do hope you get some tips and main key to arrange your trip to Vietnam better way.

Vietnam Travel Tips You Need to Know

Planning is an essential part of any trip, and just like elsewhere, there are certain things you need to know before visiting Vietnam – especially if you’re a first time visitor. While you won’t have too much to worry about in Vietnam, it’s always best to know what you’re getting yourself into before arriving at a new destination. To help you plan the perfect trip, here are our Vietnam Travel Tips so that you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying this fascinating country!

Top Vietnam Travel Tips – What You Need to Know Before Visiting Vietnam

1. Get Travel Insurance

First things first – travel insurance is a must when visiting any country, let alone Vietnam. For this reason, it’s arguably the most crucial travel tip for Vietnam not to overlook.

Although Vietnam is a relatively safe country to visit, it’s important to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances. And that doesn’t just include petty theft. Food poisoning, getting injured during an adventure activity, losing your valuables, or even missing a flight are just some of the things that can really ruin your Vietnam trip.

The point is you never know what can happen, and if you find yourself in a pickle, chances are you’re really going to wish you forked out a few extra dollars for travel insurance. Find your trust travel insurance companies from your country then apply online with them. In a few quick clicks, you’ll have comprehensive cover tailored to your budget and travel needs.

2. Choose the right season to visit

Vietnam is a massive country spanning more than 1650 km from North to South. While the weather in Vietnam might not be at the top of your worry list, choosing the best time to visit Vietnam is an important part of planning the perfect trip.

The country has a tropical monsoon climate with high humidity throughout the year and rather unpredictable weather, including everything from typhoons to frequent downpours to relentless heat. Added to that, the temperature can vary drastically depending on where and when you visit.

With that said, though, if you are planning to see a bit of everything, the best time to visit Vietnam is either in spring (March – April) or autumn (September – December). During these months, expect pleasant temperatures throughout most of the country.

But in general, Vietnam have three part and it may have three kinds of the weather different at each part of Vietnam country.

North Vietnam: The rainy season will be from Feb to Mar and from Jul to Aug. Other months are dry season.

Central Vietnam: The rainy season will be from Oct to Dec sometime extend to Jan.

South Vietnam: The rainy season from the South will star from Apr and end in Sep sometime extend to Oct. Others are great time to travel to Vietnam. But its temperature in the South is always higher than other cities in Vietnam. Because it is near the equator.

3. Of course don’t forget your visa

Most nationalities need a visa to enter Vietnam, except for several European passport holders, such as citizens from the UK, France, and Germany. If you’re from one of these countries, consider yourself lucky, because you can enter Vietnam 15 days visa-free.

For the rest, chances are high you’ll need to apply for a visa beforehand. While some countries’ citizens can apply for a visa online (read more about it here or use E-Visa to sort everything for you), South Africans need to apply in person at the nearest Vietnam embassy. It’s definitely a bit of a mission, but the effort will be worth it – especially since you’ll get to experience one of the most beautiful places in Asia!

4. Know how to get in and out

As already mentioned, Vietnam is a huge country packed with loads of beautiful places to go, ancient landmarks to explore, and amazing things to do. Choosing where to arrive and depart is, therefore, another important Vietnam travel tip to keep in mind.

Three main international airports serve Vietnam: Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang International Airport. If you’re planning to see a bit of everything, the easiest would be to arrive in the south and depart in the north (or vice versa). Or flight in and flight out at same airport if you just explore the North, Central or the South Vietnam country. Search and compare flights here on Skyscanner.

No matter where you arrive, it’s straightforward to get from any of these airports to the city center. Buses and taxis are readily available and very affordable. Don’t feel like planning a thing? Grab a private transfer here:

Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi City / Halong Bay

Tan Son Nhat International Airport to HCMC

Da Nang International Airport to Hoi An / Hue or Da Nang

5. Know how to get around efficiently

Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries to visit in Asia and getting around is super easy and affordable. As a result, it’s a great destination for budget travelers and backpackers. With everything from trains to buses, Vietnam has a vast and efficient transport network that can literally connect you to all its corners.

Some of the best long-distance travel options include sleeper buses and overnight trains. These are especially ideal for travelers who want to cover large areas of land at dirt cheap prices. 12Go Asia is a great source to find and book tickets for buses, trains but you can check with Vietnam Railway and transfers you can check with Vietnam Private Car. While you’ll undoubtedly be saving money, you should know that traveling by train or bus is not for everyone. Journeys are long, and it’s not exactly the most sanitary way of traveling.

If that’s not for you, flying is your best bet. Vietjet is the country’s top low-cost carrier, and local flights are cheap and plentiful. But note that their flights often delay so please be sure that you don’t have next plan such as connect tour or thing to do after flight. They may ruin your plan also.

6. Opt to use Grab Bike – Taxi

Most cities in Vietnam are surprisingly walkable, but it’s always good to know you have other options when you are too tired to walk.

Among the many ways to get around in the cities include taxis, local buses, bicycle rickshaws, and even motorbike taxis. Oh and travel tip – the latter might seem like a fun ride, but it’s not for the faint-hearted!

All of the above options are generally quite cheap. But remember to agree on a fixed price with the driver beforehand. Vietnam’s taxi drivers are notorious for ripping off tourists! For safe, you can ask your hotel receptionist for a help to call a trusted taxi in the local places you staying is alright. But most trips driving for internal city should apply.

The easiest way to avoid this unpleasantry is to use Grab Taxi instead. Grab is a popular ride share service, similar to Uber, where you book a ride using their app. The best part? You’ll know exactly how much your ride will cost and how long it will take to reach your destination. Most riders can’t speak English so sometime it’s bit trouble for you so best way is should learn some Vietnamese word below.

7. Learn a few key Vietnamese phrases

The official language in Vietnam is Vietnamese, but English is widely spoken in more touristy places. While it’s unlikely that you’ll have any trouble with language barriers in the bigger cities, it’s always a good idea to know the basics. Here are a few key phrases that will make your trip a whole lot more enjoyable and perhaps even impress a few locals: 

Hello – Xin chào – pronounced “sin jow”

Goodbye – Tạm biệt

Thank you – Cám ơn -“kam on”

Sorry – Xin Loi 

Please – Làm ơn

Yes – Dạ

No – Không

How much is it? – Cái này giá bao nhiêu?

Please help me – Làm ơn giúp tôi

Where is the bathroom? – Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?

One: Mot

Two: Hi

Three: Baa

Four: Bon

Five: Nam

Six: Sau

Seven: Bi

Eight: Tam

Nine: Chin

Ten: Muoi

8. Get a local sim card

Whether you’re planning a 5-day Vietnam itinerary or staying a bit longer, getting a local SIM card or pocket wifi is highly encouraged (especially if you are a first-time visitor to Vietnam).

Even though most hotels, Vietnam airports and posher eateries are likely to have free (and super fast) wifi, having access to all your favorite travel apps like Google Maps, Google Translate, and Grab Taxi 24/7 can help avoid unnecessary stress.

You can buy it at arrival airport easily with few dollars with many data sim options. Do it once you arrive there or you really need for your long trip in Vietnam you can check it out on KLook.

9. Pack the right clothes

Knowing what to pack for a Vietnam trip is another important thing you need to know before visiting Vietnam.

Since the humidity is quite intense in Vietnam, it’s best to pack lightweight, breathable clothes made of linen or cotton that won’t leave you sweaty or weigh you down.

Unless you’re visiting during winter (mid-December – March), there’s really no need to pack a ton of warm clothing. Instead, opt for shorts, skirts, your favorite t’s, and summery dresses. With that said, it’s still a good idea to bring along one or two lightweight jackets, jeans, and long-sleeved shirts for the odd chilly day or if you intend to go hiking. No matter when you visit, though, don’t forget your raincoat!

Also, if you’re going to visit Vietnam’s incredible religious sites, remember to to pack accordingly. A simple sarong will do in most cases, but just make sure that you can cover your knees and shoulders.

10. Don’t forget to bring bug spray and sunscreen

Although you won’t have to worry about malaria in the major tourist areas of Vietnam, dengue fever and the Zika virus aren’t uncommon. Make sure to protect yourself from any bites by packing a good mosquito repellant.

Sunscreen is another essential item to pack when traveling in Vietnam. While you won’t have too much trouble finding sunscreen at a local grocery store or even in a convenience store, it’s important to know that most sunscreen brands in Asia contain whitening agents that can change your skin color. Make sure to bring your favorite brand along for a worry-free trip.

11. Carry enough cash with you

Once you apply visa to Vietnam you will read this information. Carrying over US$ 5,000 Are Required to Declare When Entering or Exiting Vietnam.

In general, cash is king in Vietnam, so make sure you carry enough cash with you, especially if you’re visiting markets or low-key eateries. Most hotels, tour operators, and fancier restaurants do, however, accept debit or credit cards, but remember service fees may apply.

If you run out of cash, you won’t have too much trouble finding an ATM. But not all banks accept foreign cards, so it’s best to try one of the bigger branches like HSBC and Citi Bank that accepts Visa or Mastercard. Also, keep in mind, it’s best to withdraw AND exchange money right at the airport, where you’ll get the cheapest rates. If you must use a local ATM, try to withdraw large sums at once to avoid hefty bank charges. The withdrawal limit typically ranges between 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 VND, with fees ranging from 22,000 to 99,000 VND.

Just make sure your hotel room has a safe where you can keep your money locked up because you really shouldn’t be walking around with large sums of cash in Vietnam!

12. Don’t drink the tap water

Another big mistake to avoid in Vietnam is drinking the tap water. The tap water in Vietnam is not safe to drink, and you’re almost guaranteed to get sick!

To avoid ruining your entire trip, rather buy bottled water. A 1.5 liter of bottled water costs less than a dollar and can be bought practically everywhere – from convenience stores to local restaurants to even your hotel.

13. You might need a travel adapter

The standard voltage in Vietnam is 220V with a frequency of 50Hz, and the typical plug types are A (2 vertical pins), C (2 round pins), and F (Schuko plug).

While these plug types are pretty standard in most countries, it’s important to check the voltage compatibility before trying to plug your device into a socket in Vietnam. If your device runs at a different voltage, it’s best to invest in a good travel adapter.

14. Crossing the streets is terrifying

The traffic in Vietnam is world-renowned for being insane. But not as much because of cars, more because of the thousands of motorbikes that dominate the roadways, weaving in and out of traffic. Walk signals and the white lines that generally indicate “pedestrian crossing” zones don’t hold much weight here. Motorbikes and cars will not stop for pedestrians unless they absolutely have to.

And since motorbike drivers don’t follow classic traffic rules – such as staying off of the sidewalks, going the right way down a one-way street, or stopping for red lights – you’ll have to be on high alert every time you attempt to cross the street.

As a general rule, you should begin walking confidently once you see a break in traffic and have faith that the cars and motorbikes will weave around you. They probably won’t stop, but they won’t actually hit you. Drivers seem to be better about this in Ho Chi Minh City and not as effective in Hanoi. Regardless, use caution and don’t expect your normal pedestrian rights from home to apply in Vietnam.

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