Traveling to Vietnam is an idea more and more travelers think about: Vietnam offers a great diversity of landscapes, cities and cultures, the food looks delicious, the locals are known for being warm and friendly and it looks easy to get around. However if you’ve never been there before, there are things you should know in order to have a good time there and mistakes that can be avoided with proper preparation. Here’s a list of Vietnam travel tips for first timers!
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Best time to visit Vietnam
Vietnam stretches over 1,600 km from north to south: the climate varies greatly from region to region. In the north has four seasons like Europe, and it can get really cold in the winter with the humidity in the air. Central and South Vietnam have a dry and rainy season: from November to April for the dry season in the south, and from January to April in Central Vietnam. Generally speaking, October to April is a good time to visit Vietnam, with March and April being the best months to go there.
English is common in Vietnam
English is common in Vietnam so you won’t have a hard time communicating with the locals, especially in big cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang. If you go to the countryside or remote places in Vietnam, it can be different and you might run into people who don’t speak English. This is why it’s important to learn some basic words in Vietnamese. It will immediately break the ice and brighten a local’s day! “Xin Chao” means hello, “Cam on” means thank you and “Tam Biet” means good bye!
Cash is king
If you’re used to pay with your credit card back home, you’ll have to change your habits during your stay in Vietnam. Yes you can pay by card in hotels, large restaurants and supermarkets but most stores accept cash only. Local and rural businesses, small guesthouses don’t accept payment by card. So make sure to always carry cash with you, preferably small notes.
Bargaining in Vietnam
Like many countries in Southeast Asia, bargaining is completely acceptable in Vietnam. It’s part of the culture, especially at the street market. If you buy several items, it will be easier to negotiate a good price. You can also bargain the price for a boat ride for instance, and even at the restaurant sometimes. Feel free to walk away politely if you feel like you’re paying too much, it can bring the price down.
Tipping in vietnam
Tipping is not mandatory in Vietnam. It’s definitely not a thing like in the US for instance. However, it’s nice to leave a tip to a tour guide, a driver or with salon services (spa, etc.). It’s not as common in restaurants, you don’t have to do it but you can round up if you don’t have small notes.
How to get around in Vietnam
It doesn’t look like it on a map, but keep in mind Vietnam stretches over 1,600km from north to south. There are so many ways to get around in Vietnam. Domestic flights are an efficient way to get around. It’s fast, cheap and easy. If you have time, you can try a sleeper bus, where you seat turns into a bed to spend the night. Trains are another option, but they’re slow and not always comfortable. You can also book a private car, which can be convenient if you’re more than two people traveling together.
Download Grab
Grab is an Uber-like app that allows you to get around in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It’s cheap, safe, and you can book a ride by car or motorbike (so much faster!). If you book a motorbike, they’ll hand you a helmet. And guess what? Just like Uber, you can also order food with Grab.
Traffic in Vietnam
You need to be prepared, especially in big cities. Scooters come from everywhere, there’s an endless stream of vehicles plus constant honking. It looks chaotic, but you’ll have to deal with it, especially when you’ll need to cross the street. It’s not as hard as it looks. You have to move forward at the same pace and never stop suddenly, start running or move backward. Scooter riders see you from afar and they can anticipate your trajectory.
Accommodation in Vietnam
Vietnam is a popular destination among travelers therefore there are tons of options regarding accommodation for all budgets (backpackers, mid-range, luxury, etc.). Homestays are popular in Vietnam, these are like boutique hotel with fewer rooms, and the family runnning it also lives there. Some hostels are not that bad and if you want to indulge in luxury, you’ll realize it’s not that expensive in Vietnam.
Where to go in Vietnam
It’s pretty much impossible to explore the whole country in one trip, unless you stay there for several months. There are so many places to see. You can stay in the north and visit Hanoi, Sa Pa and see Halong Bay. You can also focus on central Vietnam and see Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue. In the south, don’t miss Ho Chi Minh City, the Melong Delta and beautiful Phu Quoc. Here are the best places to visit in Vietnam.
Join a guided tour
Some people love to travel independently, but joining a guided tour is not a bad idea at all! First off it makes things very easy for you, you just have to pay and everything is taken care of. But the biggest benefit is that you can learn a lot more about the country with your guide, than you would have learned by traveling on your own. You learn about the culture, the history, the food, the people and a lot more! Here are some great Vietnam tours!
Explore Vietnam by motorbike
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent (or even buy!) a motorbike to explore the country. It’s a popular thing to do, because you get the freedom to go wherever you want to and travel at your own pace. You get to see some scenic landscapes and go to remote parts of the country. Don’t miss Ha Giang Loop in the north and Hai Van pass in central Vietnam.
what to eat in vietnam
There is so much amazing food to try in Vietnam. Each region has their own specialties and you quickly realize how varied the gastronomy is in the country. Try pho which is the ultimate soup dish or banh mi which is a baguette sandwich inherited from the French colonial-era.
There’s also goi cuon (Vietnamese spring rolls) and bun cha hanoi (grilled meat served over noodles). Don’t skip the street food markets where you can get delicious food but keep an eye on the cleanliness of the food stalls. You’ll notice coffee is truly a part of Vietnamese culture, and there are numerous variations you can try: iced milk coffee, coconut coffee, egg coffee, salt coffee, etc.
Respect local customs
You’re a visitor in another country. They don’t have to cater to your habits, it’s the other way around. If you’re visiting a temple, cover your knees and shoulders. Do not point with your finger but use your entire hand instead. Remove your shoes before entering a home. Avoid public display of affection. Ask before taking photos of local people. That’s a good start!
Vietnam is safe
People are often concerned about Vietnam safety. It’s a safe and welcoming country, and they’re used to welcome tourists. Needless to say you have to exercise caution like you would anywhere else in the world, but it’s not a dangerous country. You’ll find people backpackers, retirees, couples, families, group of friends, etc. exploring Vietnam, all of them having a great time!
Vietnam is such a beautiful country that has so much to offer! Your Vietnam trip will go smoothly with all these Vietnam travel tips. The food, the landscapes, the people, etc. You’re gonna have a great time there!
- Traveling soon? Check out my travel resources page!
- Wanna go to Vietnam? Check the visa policy here.
- Do not go to Vietnam without a travel insurance! Scooter accidents are frequent in the country! Here’s why buy travel insurance!
- Always use a VPN when traveling. I use ExpressVPN and I love it. Here’s why use a VPN when traveling.
- Vietnam is a cheap place to visit on a budget!
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