Complete Vietnam Travel Guide

The continued presence of foreigners in Vietnam suggests that many locals are not as interested in visitors or customers as some of their counterparts in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. In addition, since most Vietnamese are not sure about spoken English, even though they study it at school, people tend to ignore lost foreigners if you are not really asking for specific help. But rest assured that the Vietnamese are really friendly people. If you ask someone a question with a smile and in slow, clear English, you will almost certainly get an answer. Simple phrases such as in chào (“hi”, pronounced “sin chow”) and cám ơn (“thank you”, pronounced “karma uhn”) are of great importance.

5. Keep in touch

Although most hotels, cafes, and restaurants have Wi-Fi, you can easily buy a SIM card and connect to the Internet for only $ 3. The names of the Vietnamese streets are known to belong (most are named after people), so for many travelers, digital navigators and maps are preferable to paper ones. You will also find that having a local phone number is convenient for meeting with guides and making last-minute reservations on the go. SIM cards are widely sold in stores everywhere and are easy to top up. After the purchase, the card must be registered on the network, which can be difficult, so ask the seller to do it for you.

Street food is one of the attractions of Vietnam - and here you will need cash to pay for it

6. Beware of taxi fraud

For many, motorcycle taxis are the best way to see the streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. However, fraud can happen, and your best defense is a decent knowledge of where you are going and signs on the way. Always agree on a price in advance and be prepared for the fact that prices will be higher than those of local residents. For regular taxis, stick with the two main companies Mai Linh and Vinasun (both have apps). Small independent taxis are known for fast driving and aggressive drivers. If you are in one of the major cities, applications for comfortable trips, such as Uber and Grab, offering both car and motorcycle taxis, are good. Sometimes the driver will call to confirm the order, so having a friend speaking a Vietnamese language nearby will come in handy.

Rice terraces in Lao Cai province, near the Chinese border. Regular flights of buses, trains, and airplanes make traveling around Vietnam relatively easy.

7. Consider transport options.

Night buses are a good way to travel long distances and save on living costs. However, the seating areas do not provide much legroom, so tall passengers will not be able to fully stretch out in comfort. At the same time, the upper shelves suggest a bit more personal space but can be at the height of street lamps.

Sleep masks and noise-canceling headphones are recommended (especially if the bus plays music or shows movies). Sometimes it’s easier to pay a few more dollars and use the plane. There are several low-cost airlines in Vietnam that offer cheap fares but are notorious for being late. The national airline, Vietnam Airlines, has the best service and reasonable prices with prior reservation.

8. Monitor your surroundings

Cruel crimes are extremely rare in Vietnam, the use of firearms is strictly regulated by law. But seizures and, to a lesser extent, theft, do happen. While on the street, use your phone and other electronics carefully (even while sitting in a cafe, on the sidewalk, or in the back seat of a motorcycle). Leave your passport at the hotel - there is rarely a reason to have the original with you. In addition, although Vietnam has the cheapest beer in the world, be careful with busting. A drunken tourist returning to his hotel in the morning when there is little transport around can be seen as an easy target. If you get home late in the evening, then spend an extra dollar or two on a taxi instead of a motorcycle.

The abundance of scooters and heavy traffic can make crossing city streets scary at first.

9. Road safety

Traffic in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City at first glance may seem horrific. Just walking down the street during rush hour can be an impossible task! But there is a way to get rid of madness, and like a school of fish, the movement will inevitably glide around you as you continue to move at a slow and steady pace. If you are not sure, do as the locals and raise one hand high so that you can be seen above the sea of ​​helmets.

If you want to drive a motorcycle yourself, it is best to use it for riding in quiet places such as Hoi An, Dalat or Fukuoka. Always wear a helmet and remember the exhaust pipe, which can cause multiple burns to the legs. Since motorbikes tend to move close to each other, keep your legs pointing inward and consider putting on closed boots that provide extra protection for your legs.