Tips for travelling in Vietnam
Whatever’s drawn you to Vietnam – the beaches, the temples, the food – these handy tips will have you feeling like a local in no time!
1. Get your bearings
Pre-save any of your hotel or hostel addresses in Google Maps while you’re still at home, that way, you’ll be able to rely on your phone’s GPS without any WiFi or data connection. This trick works for any destination and it’s a great way to help you get back to your base, especially when a day of exploring has left you disoriented, or you’ve had a couple of drinks on a night out.
2. Check your Dong
The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is about 30,000 to the pound (GBP). You can sometimes pay in USD too, but I’d always advise paying in VND for the best exchange rate. Check your money before you hand it over. It’s easy to become confused by the number of zeros on the notes. The 100,000 note (about 3GBP) and the 10,000 note (about 0.30GBP) look quite similar, and can easily be mistaken. Of course, the majority of the Vietnamese are lovely friendly people who are happy to help you with understanding the currency – they may point out which notes to use. Bear in mind that if you’re only slightly overpaying, you may have to explicitly ask for your change back, otherwise it’ll be counted as a tip.
Download an app like XE Currency Converter, to help you quickly understand the prices of things in your own currency.
3. Break up big notes
When you first arrive in Vietnam, you’ll probably have some big bills, like a 500,000 note (around 15GBP). While 15GBP may not seem like much, it’s a huge amount when you’re paying for things on the street, like water or snacks. For example, a Banh Mi shouldn’t cost you more than about 35,000VND. If you flourish a 500,000 note, you’ll likely get asked for something smaller, as small street sellers won’t have endless amounts of change.
4. Travel smart
In areas like Hoi An, there have been reports of bag snatches on the motorbike taxis, so it’s safer to opt for a car. If you’re travelling by taxi, make sure you use a reputable company, like Vinasun. If you’re travelling solo, avoid getting into a bigger car, as you’ll be charged a higher price. Ask for a smaller car and if they claim there’s not one, then walk away.
If you’re used to using apps like Uber or ViaVan in your home city, you may want to download Grab – they tend to be slightly cheaper than the taxis and, like Uber, you’ll know the price upfront.
5. Stay sanitary
Many toilets and washrooms in Vietnam don’t have the same standard as you’d find back home in westernised countries. Often, you’ll find there’s no soap or toilet paper. Carry a mini packet of tissues, wet wipes, and antibacterial gel with you to stay fresh and hygienic.
6. Keep hydrated
The water in Vietnam isn’t as filtered as you’re likely used to, so avoid slurping from the taps and instead drink bottled water. You’ll have no trouble finding bottled water — street sellers at every couple of hundred yards have huge supply and will likely charge you between 10,000 and 30,000VND. Bottles will often be sealed with plastic around the rim, which is an added peace of mind, so you know it’s not been tampered with. Water bottles will likely hiss slightly when you open them – even if it’s still water. It’s just a pressure thing, nothing to worry about. Most hotels have water coolers, which have safe drinking water too.
7. Cross roads like a local
Don’t wait for a light to cross the street, otherwise you’ll be waiting all day. Cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are especially manic, with motorbikes, cars and scooters all seeming to follow their own rules on the road. It can feel nervewracking to step out at first, but be brave and when you see a slight gap, just go for it — the locals are used to it, they’ll simply weave round you.
8. Learn some lingo
Vietnamese isn’t the easiest language to learn, but you’ll get a huge smile from the locals if you give it a go. Here are some of the basics:
Hello - Xin chao (pronounced seen chow)
Goodbye — Chao (pronounced chow)
Yes — Vang (pronounced vung)
No — Khong (pronounced khome)
Please — Xin (pronounced seen)
Thank you — Cam on (pronounced gahm un)
9. Don’t be afraid to barter
Markets are a real way of life in Vietnam, for many locals their stall is their livelihood. You can find anything and everything in the markets — food, clothing, incense, souvenirs, you name it!
Most items won’t have a price tag, so you’ll have to ask how much and let the bartering commence. I’d advise countering their first offer with half the amount they start with – so if they start with 400,000VND then go in at 200,000VND, you’ll probably find you can meet somewhere around 280,000/320,000VND mark. Make sure you have a rough idea of the exchange rate before you go in as prices quickly reach the hundreds of thousands, which can be very confusing as the amounts sound astronomical. For example, 200,000 VND is only about six quid, but as the locals shift their prices up by the hundreds of thousands, you just need to remember that in reality, the difference between 300,000VND and 200,000VND is only about 3GBP.
The golden rule is this: anything that’s already labelled with a price, or is sitting under glass (jewellery and so on) isn’t up for negotiation. Don’t insult the locals by trying to knock a few quid off these items.
10. Prepare to be papped…
The Vietnamese are used to tourists, but are often fascinated by how different we look to them. Those who are exceptionally blonde (platinum), redheaded, or even very dark skinned may get snapped by a curious local. They don’t mean any harm by it, they’re just interested. Many will ask you before they take your photo, but some will be more candid. You can always say no or cover your face with a hand to show you’re not happy being photographed.
11. …But be sensitive with your own camera
Of course you’ll want to fill your Instagram with #nofilter shots of this beautiful country, but be courteous to the locals. If you take a photo of a shop front or art display, you may find the owner asks you to pay. And, some locals will encourage you to photograph them, then expect you to cough up the cash.
12. Cover up in the temples
If you’re planning a trip to visit some of Vietnam’s beautiful buddhist temples, make sure you pack a sarong or pashmina to cover up with. Women need to make sure their shoulders and knees are covered, with no midriff showing. Men can wear shorts, but must wear a t-shirt. You’ll often be asked to remove your shoes too – that’s normal.
13. Try different foods
Try everything once. Delicacies are different in Vietnam compared with what you’re used to at home. Just remember, to them it’s normal, so show respect. I’m a big believer that you can’t have an opinion on something ‘til you’ve tried it yourself, so during my travels I tasted snake, rat, eel and balut. Balut is a duck egg with the developing bird embryo still inside. It may make your stomach churn to think about it, but honestly, it just tastes like a normal egg just with a thicker, spongier texture.
Aside from the common stereotype, I only saw one restaurant that was serving dog on the menu.
14. Embrace the chopsticks
Locals will eat everything with chopsticks, even pho — a noodle-based soup. You can ask for a spoon, but give chopsticks a go!
Luckily, for those suffering with gluten intolerance, the Southeast Asian cuisine is fairly agreeable, as most of the dishes are rice based. Be aware though that often the soy sauce will contain gluten.
15. Be grateful
Remember, you’re very lucky to be able to afford to travel to far and distant countries. Many Vietnamese can only dream of being able to travel the world. The Vietnamese are a wonderful people with a wealth of history behind them, show them respect and be grateful to them for sharing their beautiful country with you.
