My Top Ten Tips for your Vietnam Trip

Anju Chandna
Aug 31
5 min read

The Southeast Asian country of Vietnam is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world, thanks to the numerous experiences it offers to its visitors.

From vibrant cultural hotspots like Danang and Hoi An to the scenic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, Vietnam has it all.

What makes this eclectic mix of attractions even more attractive is that Vietnam offers all of this and more at very competitive prices compared to other popular tourist destinations in Europe or elsewhere.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ho Chi Minh City

Royal Palace entrance in the ancient city near Ninh Binh

We spent 12 days in Vietnam, travelling the length of the country from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

I'll be sharing my experiences with you of this beautiful, diverse country in the blogs that will follow.

But first: My Top Ten Tips for your Vietnam trip...

Weather patterns in Vietnam can be very diverse.
Hanoi is located in Northern Vietnam, so winters can be cold. The best time to visit Hanoi is from August to October, when the days are pleasant and dry.
Ho Chi Minh, on the other hand, lies in the south and enjoys a tropical climate. It's either hot and dry or hot and rainy.
We visited in April, Hanoi was cold, Danang in Central Vietnam was pleasant, and Ho Chi Minh City in Southern Vietnam was hot and dry.
Most of us perceive Vietnam as a warm, tropical country, but when planning your trip, it's essential to consider the diverse weather patterns. Upon landing in Hanoi, we discovered that the temperature was 15 degrees Celsius. And we were not alone; there were hordes of tourists buying jackets from local shops to beat the cold.

Carry cash wherever possible.
One day into our visit to Vietnam, we discovered that the best mode of payment is through the local currency, VND (Vietnamese Dong), especially in local markets and for purchasing small items.
You will see numerous exchange counters, but these are primarily found in big cities. This brings us to another crucial point. If you're carrying USD, then remember to carry only the relatively new currency notes. Coming from India, we were holding the older notes of USD, and many exchange counters refused to accept them. Ultimately, we had to exchange them at a lower price than the current rate.
Be mindful of the exchange rate from your currency to VND
The exchange rate of 1.00 USD mostly hovers close to 25,000.00 VND. This can make conversion a bit tricky at times.
We took a very short rickshaw ride on our first day in Hanoi and paid in VND. However, due to a lack of clarity in the conversion rate, we ended up paying over $10 for such a short trip. So, working out the conversion math beforehand is a good idea.
Haggling in the local market.
There is a lot of haggling in the local markets. The quoted price of the jackets we bought in Hanoi was double what we paid in the end. A lot of back-and-forth and haggling was involved. The people are friendly towards tourists, despite the haggling and all.
Also, when you opt for guided tours, the outlets and factories they take you to charge higher prices than the regular shops, mostly. We opted for a day trip to the Mekong Delta. En route, we were taken to a factory outlet selling souvenirs. The prices of souvenirs were way higher than similar ones elsewhere. Use your discretion before you make any purchases from thick touristy spots.
Vietnam offers various types of visas to individuals from different nationalities. Be sure of what the visa requirements of your country are. The E-Visa option is available for most nationalities; just be sure that you pick the right one. Indians need a visa to enter Vietnam; they can opt for an e-visa or a visa on arrival.
For travelling within the country, flights are the best option, although at times, they tend to get delayed or rescheduled. You should be prepared for such eventualities. We were lucky we did not face any such inconvenience, but I have heard accounts of people who were stranded at airports with flight delays.
As I've mentioned earlier, Vietnam is a busy tourist destination. If you wish to join any specific tour or do any activity, please make bookings in advance for it. There are day trips from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta, overnight cruises for Halong Bay, and the famous Water Puppet Show, among many others. All these bookings should be made beforehand. The most popular outing from Danang is a day trip to Ba Na Hills.
While it's not mandatory to make any pre-booking for that, it's better to book in advance so that you can avoid the long queues upon arrival and also ensure that you get entry on the day of your choice. At times, especially on weekends, tickets might get sold out owing to massive crowds.
Unlike Europe, running tap water is not suitable for drinking. Do not drink water from bathroom taps. Only drink bottled water. The same rule applies to street food. Vietnam is a haven for street food, but look for hygienic outlets. Additionally, if you prefer your coffee and tea with milk, be aware that milk sachets are often unavailable in hotels in many locations. You will have to buy milk packs or sachets.
The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese; however, English is spoken and understood quite well. You will not have any problem communicating in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, although we did come across cab drivers who couldn't speak English. For that, they typically rely on Google Translate.
Big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are crowded. Traffic and pollution can be bad, especially on the weekends, leading to congestion. While planning any outing, keep extra time in hand and a face mask too.