Search

Remove all

Select destination

Travel styles

Select duration



Remove all

Things to be aware of when travelling in Vietnam

Vietnam is a beautiful country of rice paddies, cyclos, water buffaloes and tasty food. When people first travel to the country, they know very little about it all but in a couple of days in Vietnam, people will learn quickly. However, there are few things if you know about before packing your bag to travel to Vietnam will make your trip so smooth and trouble-free.

Hanoi, Vietnam ToursSunset in Hanoi

A motorbike’s paradise
There are millions of motorbike in Vietnam, some even says” If you don’t have a motorbike here, you are nobody”. So the traffic in Vietnam is extremely dense and complicated. Parking space for motorbikes in Vietnam is at a premium and some pavements have become parking lots. Sometimes this mean that pedestrians have no option but to share the road with traffic. In that case, be on high alert.

Motorbike Ho Chi Minh - Vietnam ToursMotorbike in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Vietnamese can carry almost everything on their motorbikes. If there were a competition for how much things can be carried on a motorbike, I bet Vietnamese would be the first to win. In fact, the one thing that makes Vietnam very unique of all the Southeast Asian countries is that the Vietnamese transport a lot on their motorbikes, from a mountain of caged chickens to dresser bureaus and furniture… a whole gamut of things which will make your jaw drop.

Moreover, you will also have to accept the honking in Vietnam. You’ll hear a lot of car, truck and motorbike honking in Vietnam. Not kidding at all. That is the habit of Vietnamese drivers. Are you a light sleeper and booked a street view room from your hotel? Think again.

Walk slowly when crossing the street
Traffic in Vietnam is hairy. It’s a tangled and endlessly-streamed mess of motorbikes, an occasional man-drawn cart, some cars and trucks and more motorbikes. Crossing the street in Vietnam is scary and a bit dangerous but fun nonetheless. It will take some time before you feel comfortable with it. Remember that motorbikes are trying to anticipate your movements to avoid hitting you, so keep a steady pace. It’s also advisable to hold out your arm to let the motorcyclists know that you are actually crossing the street.

Crossing street Hanoi - Vietnam ToursCrossing the street in Hanoi

Crossing street Hanoi Vietnam ToursCrossing the street in Hanoi - Vietnam

Watch your belongings
Violent crime is rare, but like any large city, both have their fair share of pickpockets, be very aware in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Saigon’s Pham Ngu Lao. Keep your phone and wallet out of sight, use your bag or camera strap. A loose strap is like a moth to a flame for motorbike thieves. So make sure to put your bag or camera across your chest over your shoulder to make it a less obvious target. There is no need to be overly cautious, simply be aware of your belongings and surroundings.

Don’t trust the taxi meter
Ripping off unsuspecting passengers is an art form of dishonest taxi drivers. Not all taxi drivers are dishonest but to be safe, stick with reliable companies such as Hanoi Taxi, Mai Linh and Vinasun. Always remember to take your hotel’s business card to make your return to the hotel much easier by handing it to your taxi, motorbike taxi (xe om) or cyclo driver. If possible, you can ask someone (receptionist, bellboy, local people…) for the idea of how far your hotel is or how much it should cost to avoid trouble of being overcharged.

Taxi meter Hanoi - Vietnam

Taxi meter Hanoi Vietnam Tours

Take a break in the afternoon
Don’t forget Vietnam is a tropical country, it can be very hot and humid sometimes with temperature around 38 – 40 degree Celsius and above 80% humidity. Break up your sightseeing and go early in the morning and the late afternoon. It can get quite hot visiting the attractions so taking a nice long break in the middle of the day can keep you refreshed for the afternoon activities. However, it gets cold in Hanoi and the North Vietnam. Unlike the South and Center, the North has four seasons with very hot and sticky summers and rather cold and humid winters. If you are heading to the North from November to February, you might want to bring a jumper or a heavy fleece.

Sunset Halong Bay - Vietnam ToursSunset in Halong Bay

Cover up
When visiting temples and pagodas, make sure to pack a shawl or extra shirt to cover your shoulders. Remember that you are visiting a piece of history so show it some respect and cover up those shoulders. If you are unsure before entering an attraction, just follow what the locals do.

Be a sensitive snapper
Most people in Vietnam love having their photo taken and will ask to have one with you, but do ask wisely before you take your photo. There are some places like Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum or military buildings or some temples or pagodas where taking photos is prohibited.

Bargain
Remember that negotiating is not rude but expected, even if a fixed price is advertised. Haggle for the best price or risk paying well over the actual price of an item. Try the “walking away” to get a better price. If that doesn’t work, you can always go back to the vendor later. Many things in Vietnam are also handmade, so if you like an item and you can afford it, just buy it! Because you may not see the same thing again.

Vietnam Travel - Nadova ToursShopping in Hanoi, Vietnam

Eat everything
Vietnamese food is so delicious and you will want to try it all. Go ahead and buy a kilo of that strange looking purple fruit or sit down and eat that bowl of whatever noodle, but be aware of hygiene when you are eating street food. To be cautious, opt for vendors who already have customers.

Vietnam Food Tours, Nadova ToursHanoi Street Food

Food in Vietnam ToursHanoi street food

Food Safety Tips: Always eat from stalls where the food is prepared on the spot and cooked hot. Never eat raw, uncooked meats or cut/peeled fruits. Avoid salads, as you don’t know if it’s been washed with tap water. Pho is a good dish to try at a stall, if it’s made hot. Always go to stalls that you see many Vietnamese at. Observe how they clean their utensils. For tips on water, remember to drink bottled water only, stay away from tap water even though you are staying in a 5 star hotel.

Finally, remember that you are on holiday
There is so much to do and see, but don’t forget to stop every once in a while to pull up a small plastic chair, order a cup of traditional Vietnam café, and take it all in. While sights and activities hold interest, sometimes you can throw away your guide-book or forget the fixed itinerary, you will learn more about the culture by adjusting to the local pace.

Vietnam Tours

By: Nadova Tours
View Tours:Vietnam insight 14 days

Tags

Viajes baratos Myanmar (1) , Discover Laos (2) , Laos tour packages (2) , Myanmar Family Holiday (5) , Vietnam tradition (4) , tours in vietnam (30) , Vietnam Custom Tours (26) , Myanmar holidays (3) , Cambodia Customized Tour (4) , cambodia tours packages (3) , Vietnam Grand Prix (2) , Kong skull island (1) , Excusiones Myanmar (1) , Holidays in Vietnam (21) , Vietnam fam (1) , Tet Vietnam Holiday (1) , Thailand private tours (8) , Viajes a Myanmar (1) , Laos trip (1) , Da Nang (5) , Vietnam Visa (1) , Visitar a Myanmar (1) , Vietnam Private Tours (131) , Best Museums in Indochina (1) , Myanmar Travel Tips (9) , Vietnam Custom Holidays (28) , Travel in Grand Prix Vietnam (1) , Myanmar tour package (3) , Thailand Travel Guide (6) , New Year (1) , Best Vacation in Vietnam (11) , Vietnam Holidays (12) , Where to go in Vietnam (1) , Vietnamese people (6) , Vietnam Travel Tipss (1) , Nha trang (3) , Vietnam Classic Tour (5) , Paquetes de viajes Myanmar (1) , Bangkok (4) , Staying Safe in Vietnam (4) , Thailand family tours (5) , Viajar a Myanmar (1) , Trips in Laos (2) , Hanoi travel guide (5) , Trang An Tours (1) , Vietnam street food (6) , Thailand Cuisine (2) , Best time to visit Vietnam (20) , Tours In Myanmar (4) , Laos tours (2) , build relation ship with the Vietnamese xVietnamese people xCommunicate with the Vietnamese xBest Vietnam Travel Tips xTrips to Vietnam xVietnam Travel Guide xvietnamese culture xVietnam cultural tour (3) , Phu Quoc (1) , Thailand Tours (2) , Vietnnam Private Tours (1) , Travel to Indochina (1) , Cambodian vacation (1) , Cambodian Private Tour (1) , Hanoi (5) , Tet Vietnam (1) , Tours in Thailand (7) , Tours in Cambodia (4) , Thailand customized tours (12) , TIps for solo female travelers (1) , Laos family tours (1) , Laos Culture (1) , skull island halong bay (1) , Where to visit in Vietnam (1) , Vietnam Family Tours (61) , Top markets in Vietnam (2) , Laos Travel Tips (3) , Cambodia travel guide (5) , Travel to Laos (1) , Halong Bay Tours (1) , Myanmar Family Tours (2) , Full Moon Festival (1) , Vietnam Customized Holiday (47) , Laos travel (2) , Communicate with the Vietnamese (5) , Things to do in Laos (1) , Vietnam Travel Tip (1) , Laos travel guide (1) , Halong Bay Trip (2) , Hue Cuisine (1) , First time to Vietnam (1) , kong skull island vietnam (1) , Thailand travel tips (11) , Customized Vietnam Tour (12) , Pakse (1) , Hoi An Ancient Town (1) , Christmas in Vietnam (1) View more

Support Online

nadovatours
Could not find suitable trip for you Let us help you

Being the locals, we know the true value of our land. We always listen and arrange everything as your desire. Please kindly send us whatever about your trip, we will send you best offers quickly.