Vietnam Travel Tips - Do's and Don'ts in Vietnam
Vietnam is a friendly and safe place to travel. With a sprinkle of common sense, your trip should be smooth and trouble free. Tourists usually complain about over-aggressive street vendors, tour operators with a bad attitude and dangerous driving. However, with a cool head and sensible planning, one can avoid these problems.
DO'S and DON'TS in Vietnam
DO'S
. Greetings are no different to western countries, there are no cultural formalities that as a foreigner you would be expected to know or practice.
. Vietnamese dress conservatively. Despite the heat, it's best not to show off too much skin. If you do, especially girls, you'll only draw stares from the locals.
. Dress well when visiting pagodas. No shorts or teddy bear t-shirts. Shoes are fine, and rarely will you have to remove them. If unsure, just follow what the locals do.
. Drink as much water as possible due to hot weather, especially when walking around sightseeing. No need to carry huge bottles around with you, a vendor is never far away and no doubt they will find you before you find them.
. Keep your cash, credit cards, airline tickets and other valuables in a safe place. Better be in the safety box in the hotel. A limited amount just enough for personal daily expenses is suggested.
. Travel with recommended tour agencies. Even if you plan to join tours or any purchase of air tickets, an advance research of your journey is highly recommended.
. Vietnamese dress conservatively. Despite the heat, it's best not to show off too much skin. If you do, especially girls, you'll only draw stares from the locals.
. Dress well when visiting pagodas. No shorts or teddy bear t-shirts. Shoes are fine, and rarely will you have to remove them. If unsure, just follow what the locals do.
. Drink as much water as possible due to hot weather, especially when walking around sightseeing. No need to carry huge bottles around with you, a vendor is never far away and no doubt they will find you before you find them.
. Keep your cash, credit cards, airline tickets and other valuables in a safe place. Better be in the safety box in the hotel. A limited amount just enough for personal daily expenses is suggested.
. Travel with recommended tour agencies. Even if you plan to join tours or any purchase of air tickets, an advance research of your journey is highly recommended.
DON'TS
. Wear a lot of jewellery or take a bag with you. Violent crime is highly unusual in Vietnam, but petty crime is more apparent. If you have a bag, or tout a digital camera around your neck, you are a potential target.
. When taking a ride by motorbike taxi (xe om) make sure your bag, if any, is not on display or easy to grab. Bag snatchers, although still rare, are probably the most likely crime a tourist would encounter, and it raises the probability immensely if you are tailing a camera or a laptop in the wind.
. Don't wear singlets, shorts, skirts or dresses, or revealing clothes to temples or pagodas.
. Physical displays of affection between lovers in public are frowned upon. That's why you may come across couples holding hands but not hugging or kissing.
. Losing your temper in Vietnam means a loss of face. Keep a cool head and remain polite, you'll have a greater chance of getting what you want.
. Remember, this is Vietnam, a developing country, and things don't quite work as you are maybe used to. Don't be paranoid about your safety, just be aware of your surroundings.
. When taking a ride by motorbike taxi (xe om) make sure your bag, if any, is not on display or easy to grab. Bag snatchers, although still rare, are probably the most likely crime a tourist would encounter, and it raises the probability immensely if you are tailing a camera or a laptop in the wind.
. Don't wear singlets, shorts, skirts or dresses, or revealing clothes to temples or pagodas.
. Physical displays of affection between lovers in public are frowned upon. That's why you may come across couples holding hands but not hugging or kissing.
. Losing your temper in Vietnam means a loss of face. Keep a cool head and remain polite, you'll have a greater chance of getting what you want.
. Remember, this is Vietnam, a developing country, and things don't quite work as you are maybe used to. Don't be paranoid about your safety, just be aware of your surroundings.
Tips in traveling Vietnam.
Traveling document/permission
a).Entering visa: please make sure it was obtained before departure or you may want to pick up yours by arrival, in this case you need an invitation document to guarantee your arrival (identification).
b).Passport validity: Please make sure that your passport is in validity in 6 months. This seemed mostly strictly executed by lot of airport authorities.
c).As entering the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, you may need to fill up an entry form as temporary residential declaration. As to avoid yourself from hassle in your arrival, you are highly recommended to get the entry form filled up by departure from your origin, during haul, anyway as long as you got it filled before you line up at the arrival hall in Tan Son Nhat Airport (Southern Vietnam - HCMC) or Noi Bay Airport (Northern Vietnam – Hanoi Capital).
b).Passport validity: Please make sure that your passport is in validity in 6 months. This seemed mostly strictly executed by lot of airport authorities.
c).As entering the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, you may need to fill up an entry form as temporary residential declaration. As to avoid yourself from hassle in your arrival, you are highly recommended to get the entry form filled up by departure from your origin, during haul, anyway as long as you got it filled before you line up at the arrival hall in Tan Son Nhat Airport (Southern Vietnam - HCMC) or Noi Bay Airport (Northern Vietnam – Hanoi Capital).
Weather
Vietnam's weather varies from the sub-tropics in the North to the tropics in the South. The humidity is high, with average ranging around 84% a year. Moderated by two monsoons, the average temperature (from 22 to 27) is lower than other countries also in the equatorial regions. The weather varies greatly from North to South, depending on elevation and type of landscape
a). If you are traveling the North, then you are suggested to be ready to deal with the monsoon winter, rainy and cold. You may need to bring yourself a raincoat just in case. Normally, winter in Vietnam might not be as noticeable as other countries in Europe or North America.
b). However, Northern may still keep you putting your thick outfit on, gloves, cardigan etc. But in Southern Vietnam, it is a bit cooler in the morning and late evening; no major cold but you may have more chance to deal with monsoonal rainfall (May till end of November in a year).
c). Or you may want to bring an umbrella with you
a). If you are traveling the North, then you are suggested to be ready to deal with the monsoon winter, rainy and cold. You may need to bring yourself a raincoat just in case. Normally, winter in Vietnam might not be as noticeable as other countries in Europe or North America.
b). However, Northern may still keep you putting your thick outfit on, gloves, cardigan etc. But in Southern Vietnam, it is a bit cooler in the morning and late evening; no major cold but you may have more chance to deal with monsoonal rainfall (May till end of November in a year).
c). Or you may want to bring an umbrella with you
Foods & Hygiene
a). As Vietnam is still being concerned as one of the developing countries in the world then most of the areas are not being well-facilitated and also not being well-conditioned. As a matter of fact, you are highly suggested to not intake any foods, which are selling along streets and never try foods, which freshness is being hesitated and suspected.
b). Due to the hot weather, you may be thirsty for cold drinks or beverages with ice. In this case, you are also suggested not to get cold drink outside street but only in the hotel or restaurant as you never known that how the ice-cube has coming from?
c). Deep fried food are also not highly suggested due to oil might be overused (mostly along streets)
b). Due to the hot weather, you may be thirsty for cold drinks or beverages with ice. In this case, you are also suggested not to get cold drink outside street but only in the hotel or restaurant as you never known that how the ice-cube has coming from?
c). Deep fried food are also not highly suggested due to oil might be overused (mostly along streets)
Vietnamese Food
Increasingly famous worldwide with restaurants sprawled over the globe, yet no Vietnamese food abroad can equal in flavor or quality to that made in Vietnam itself. In brief, Vietnamese cuisine depends heavily on rice grown in water paddies throughout the country, with dishes varying from simple everyday meals to most complex dishes designed for the King. Reaching a balance between fresh herbs and meats; as well as a selective use of spices to reach a fine taste, Vietnamese food can be considered one of the healthiest yet most divine cuisines worldwide.
Spices and ingredients
Vietnam's ingredients reflect its geography and climate. Rice (grown in water paddies throughout the country) is the main starch used in everyday meals, and is also made into different kind of cakes and noodles. Besides a number of Buddhist vegetarian dishes, most Vietnamese dishes or meals are a combination of a variety of vegetables, herbs and meats.
Common herbs may include lemon grass, lime or kaffir. Popular meats are pork, beef, chicken, prawn and various fish. Lamb, duck, birds, and even dog or other wild animals are also used but not widely. Fish sauce and soy sauce are used as both flavorings and dipping sauces for nearly every dish. Peanuts are also used widely in Vietnamese cuisine.
Vegetarians and those with allergies should be careful and ask beforehand while enjoying Vietnamese cuisine.
Common herbs may include lemon grass, lime or kaffir. Popular meats are pork, beef, chicken, prawn and various fish. Lamb, duck, birds, and even dog or other wild animals are also used but not widely. Fish sauce and soy sauce are used as both flavorings and dipping sauces for nearly every dish. Peanuts are also used widely in Vietnamese cuisine.
Vegetarians and those with allergies should be careful and ask beforehand while enjoying Vietnamese cuisine.
Style of cooking
The Vietnamese cook their food in a variety of ways: deep fry, stir fry, boil, steam. Unlike the Chinese, the Vietnamese use a minimal amount of oil while cooking. Vietnamese cooks aim to preserve the freshness and natural taste of food as much as possible. Hence Vietnamese cuisine is often considered as one of the healthiest foods in the world.
Food of three regions
Like everything else, Vietnamese food also differs geographically from location to location. North Vietnam's food uses soy sauce, fish sauce and prawn sauce and has many stir fried dishes.
With harsh weather and less developed agriculture than the South, North Vietnamese tend to use less meat, fish and vegetables; and black pepper (instead of chili) to create spice. The taste is strict and less sweet, but more salty than in other regions.
Central Vietnam is distinct in its extreme spices and color of food. Hue's cuisine, affected by royal cuisine once created for kings and queens, emphasized on quality and quantity – A meal constitutes of many complex dishes served only at small proportions.
Southern Vietnamese are heavily affected by Cambodia, Thai and Chinese cuisines (due to trade and immigrants). Southerners prefer sweet tastes (created by adding sugar or coconut milk) and spicy tastes (created by chili peppers).
A variety of dried fish and sauces originate from the South. Southerners prefer seafood and use simple cooking methods with larger and less servings.
With harsh weather and less developed agriculture than the South, North Vietnamese tend to use less meat, fish and vegetables; and black pepper (instead of chili) to create spice. The taste is strict and less sweet, but more salty than in other regions.
Central Vietnam is distinct in its extreme spices and color of food. Hue's cuisine, affected by royal cuisine once created for kings and queens, emphasized on quality and quantity – A meal constitutes of many complex dishes served only at small proportions.
Southern Vietnamese are heavily affected by Cambodia, Thai and Chinese cuisines (due to trade and immigrants). Southerners prefer sweet tastes (created by adding sugar or coconut milk) and spicy tastes (created by chili peppers).
A variety of dried fish and sauces originate from the South. Southerners prefer seafood and use simple cooking methods with larger and less servings.
Customs
Influenced by the Chinese, chopsticks and spoons are used in Vietnam. Many foods (such as cakes) are wrapped in banana or coconut leaves. When eating with elders, younger Vietnamese always ask the elders to eat first.
A typical family meal
A typical Vietnamese meal (lunch or dinner) will include steamed rice; a soup dish to eat with rice, a meat or fish dish and a vegetarian dish (either stir fried or boiled).
Vietnamese do not eat in separate servings, but the food is placed in the middle. Each member of the family has a small bowl and chopsticks with which they take food from the table throughout the meal.
Vietnamese do not eat in separate servings, but the food is placed in the middle. Each member of the family has a small bowl and chopsticks with which they take food from the table throughout the meal.
Vietnamese noodles and cakes
Besides the typical meal with rice, Vietnamese cuisine has many different types of noodles and cakes (mostly made from rice). To name a few: beef soup noodles (pho), crab noodle (bun rieu), spring rolls (nem), sticky rice cake (chung cake)…
Health
Health care in Vietnam varies in quantity and quality. Big cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have very good private and state-owned hospitals and clinics, while it is often hard to see a doctor in rural areas.
Pharmacies, however, can be found in almost every town. Write down the name of the medicine you want to buy, or use body language to explain, as not many pharmacist can communicate in English.
Prior to departure, you may want to consult your doctor on vaccination and get well-prepared for a small first-aid-kit. The following vaccines are recommended: Polio, tetanus, yellow fever, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis. Your personal kit must have solution to stomachache, headache and such.
The sun shines over half of a day along the country, so make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen. Additionally, the dust rate in the air is quite high in industrial cities; it is advisable you buy a small mask just like the local in case you are allergic.
Vietnam is a tropical country, which entails many kinds of dangerous bacteria and insects. Mosquito repellents are essential. If there are cases of malaria or dengue fever, you should go to doctor immediately.
Pharmacies, however, can be found in almost every town. Write down the name of the medicine you want to buy, or use body language to explain, as not many pharmacist can communicate in English.
Prior to departure, you may want to consult your doctor on vaccination and get well-prepared for a small first-aid-kit. The following vaccines are recommended: Polio, tetanus, yellow fever, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis. Your personal kit must have solution to stomachache, headache and such.
The sun shines over half of a day along the country, so make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen. Additionally, the dust rate in the air is quite high in industrial cities; it is advisable you buy a small mask just like the local in case you are allergic.
Vietnam is a tropical country, which entails many kinds of dangerous bacteria and insects. Mosquito repellents are essential. If there are cases of malaria or dengue fever, you should go to doctor immediately.
Personals
a). Suggest to bring some medication items with you in case as follows:
b). Extra cash will be OK for personal expenses that are not included in the package.
c). Suggest to not expose your belongings: cash notes, mobile phone, chain or necklace in bustling area as it might be theft/seized away (in this case, it could be quite personal, not compulsory at all as you believe it might happen).
d). Please save yourself some small notes in case for WC charge. Normally charges 1.000VND per occupied (not everywhere, but just in case).
1. Imodium – Diarrhea
2. Tagamet – Stomach upset, stomachache
3. Tamiflu/Tylenol cold – Fever, cold, flu
4. Contact 500 /Tylenol Nasal – nasal congestion or runny nose
5. Mosquito repellant (can be cream or spray)
(It can be something else, but are what mostly with me when I travel)
2. Tagamet – Stomach upset, stomachache
3. Tamiflu/Tylenol cold – Fever, cold, flu
4. Contact 500 /Tylenol Nasal – nasal congestion or runny nose
5. Mosquito repellant (can be cream or spray)
b). Extra cash will be OK for personal expenses that are not included in the package.
c). Suggest to not expose your belongings: cash notes, mobile phone, chain or necklace in bustling area as it might be theft/seized away (in this case, it could be quite personal, not compulsory at all as you believe it might happen).
d). Please save yourself some small notes in case for WC charge. Normally charges 1.000VND per occupied (not everywhere, but just in case).
Alert
a). You are highly suggested to note down the license plate number of your bus, in case there lots of similar one parking along….
b). Make sure you do request a simple city map from your hotel in case you are lost.
c). Bargaining, bargaining and bargaining when you go shopping. Usually, I cut 40 to 50 % off then move up gradually.
d). Never try to purchase any DVD along streets, as you may not be able to check whether it is working.
e). Ask you tour guide name again and again in case you forget.
Sexual health: Unprotected sex can spread HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and warts.
The bottom line is having your travel insurance ready before the trip.
b). Make sure you do request a simple city map from your hotel in case you are lost.
c). Bargaining, bargaining and bargaining when you go shopping. Usually, I cut 40 to 50 % off then move up gradually.
d). Never try to purchase any DVD along streets, as you may not be able to check whether it is working.
e). Ask you tour guide name again and again in case you forget.
Sexual health: Unprotected sex can spread HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and warts.
The bottom line is having your travel insurance ready before the trip.
Safety issues
Emergency contact number: Police (113) - Fire (114) - Ambulance (115)
Vietnam is generally a safe place for tourists. Pick-pocket is reported to be decreasing significantly. If you are robbed, do not hesitate to contact the local police. Many tourists have their stolen possessions returned by this way.
Vietnam is generally a safe place for tourists. Pick-pocket is reported to be decreasing significantly. If you are robbed, do not hesitate to contact the local police. Many tourists have their stolen possessions returned by this way.
Vietnamese Language
Vietnam's official language is Vietnamese, a tonal language spoken as a mother tongue by 90% the country's population. Vietnamese is written using a 29 letter alphabetical system. However, the accent of Vietnamese varies from province to province. Besides Vietnamese, around 50 other languages are spoken by ethnic minorities. English is a popular foreign language and is used in most offices, restaurants… in big cities or tourism places. French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese… are also popular and can be found in tourist places.
Currency
Vietnam's currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the Dong (VND). Vietnamese use both coins and paper notes. But as Vietnam is currently changing its money system, there exists parallel two different money systems (old and new) which can cause confusion.
Coins include VND 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200. These values have paper note equivalences.
The following values: VND 500,000; 200,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000. exist both in the new polymer form and the old normal paper notes.
Cheques with value as Vietnamese dong include: VND 1,000,000 and 500,000.
Coins include VND 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200. These values have paper note equivalences.
The following values: VND 500,000; 200,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000. exist both in the new polymer form and the old normal paper notes.
Cheques with value as Vietnamese dong include: VND 1,000,000 and 500,000.