Currently, Vietnam has become a popular tourist destination both domestically and internationally and is developing extremely rapidly. If you are planning to visit Vietnam on your next vacation, this article will provide some travel tips to Vietnam so that you can familiarize yourself in advance, avoiding culture shock. For example, the traffic is too crowded and you don’t know how to cross the street, many people don’t speak English or even the difference in weather… But if you prepare well mentally and are fully equipped with the knowledge, you will fall in love with this beautiful country. Please consult with us.
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Choose the right season to visit
Over 1600 kilometers run the length of Vietnam from north to south. Choosing the ideal time to travel to Vietnam is an essential component of arranging the ideal trip, even though Vietnam’s weather may not be top of your list of concerns. The nation has a temperate tropical or subtropical climate because of its proximity to the equator. Depending on where you go and when you are there, temperatures can change significantly. But if you want to see everything, spring (March to April) or autumn are the finest times to visit Vietnam (September – December). The majority of the country should see comfortable weather over these months.
In the north, the temperature drops quite low and you will feel cold to very cold in the winter months from December to February next year, sometimes there will be snow in mountainous areas like SaPa or the surrounding area. The central region is warmer in winter but too hot in summer. The bright rays of the sun and the high temperatures can make you uncomfortable. Take this into account if you want to visit Hue, Danang, or Hoi An.
Choose the suitable transportation
As mentioned in the previous article and also in this article, Vietnam is quite a large country with countless beautiful places to explore and great things to do. Moreover, it is also one of the cheapest countries to travel to in Asia, the travel is quite convenient and easy. Therefore, choosing which means of transport to move between locations is also another important travel tip to Vietnam that you need to pay attention to.
Vietnam boasts an extensive and efficient transportation network that can literally take visitors to any corner. Sleeper buses and overnight trains are among of the most convenient long-distance transportation options. These types of vehicles are especially ideal for travelers who want to enjoy the scenery along the way at the same time at a low cost. If you don’t want to take the bus or train, you can choose to go by plane. Vietjet is the leading low-cost airline in the country, providing very cheap and abundant domestic flights.
You can also choose to take a taxi. This type of vehicle is quite convenient and widely used in Vietnam, but before getting on the bus, negotiate the price with the driver in advance if you don’t want to be hacked. The easiest way to avoid this uncomfortable feeling is to use Grab Taxi. Grab is a popular ride-sharing service, similar to Uber, where you book a ride using an app on your phone. You will know exactly how much your trip will cost and how long it will take to arrive and simply pay the exact amount indicated on the app. If you find the driver enthusiastic, you can tip and note that this is not mandatory.
What should prepare when coming to Vietnam?
Don’t forget your visa
With the exception of select European passport holders, including British, French, and German citizens, most nationalities require a visa to enter Vietnam. You should count yourself lucky if you come from one of these nations because you can enter Vietnam without a visa for a period of 15 days.
Contrary to Thailand and Cambodia, which are nearby, most tourists cannot enter Vietnam without a visa. Before entering Vietnam, visitors from all countries outside of Southeast Asia must have a visa of some form or a letter of authorization. While some nationals can apply for a visa online, South Africans must do it in person at the closest embassy in Vietnam. This might be a minor annoyance but we think it’s worth it, especially since you’ll get to experience one of the most beautiful places in Asia!
Prepare cash
In Vietnam, cash is king, so make sure you have enough on hand, especially if you want to frequent markets or fast food restaurants. However, the majority of upscale hotels and eateries accept debit and credit cards; however, service fees can be applicable. Finding an ATM shouldn’t be too difficult if you run out of cash. However, not all banks accept international cards, so it’s advisable to try one of the bigger branches that accept Visa or Mastercard, like HSBC and Citi Bank.
Also, remember, it’s best to withdraw and exchange your money right at the airport, where you’ll get the cheapest rate. If you must use a local ATM, try to withdraw large amounts at once to avoid being overcharged by the bank. And the most important thing is to keep your money and valuables in the hotel safe and not carry a large amount of cash when walking around on the street in Vietnam.
Get a local Sim card
Whether you are planning a short or long trip to Vietnam, it is advisable to prepare a local sim card. While most luxury hotels and eateries have free wifi, access to all your essential travel apps like Google Maps, Google Translate and Grab Taxi 24/7 can help you avoid unnecessary inconveniences and inconveniences. You’ll find that even in remote parts of the country, including Sapa, Ha Long Bay, and Ninh Binh, the Wi-Fi signal is strong. It’s also one of the travel tips to Vietnam that every traveler should memorize.
Prepare the right clothes
Another crucial thing you should know before visiting Vietnam is how to prepare for a trip there. Bring breathable linen or cotton clothing to avoid sweating because Vietnam has a high level of humidity. It’s actually not necessary to carry a lot of warm gear unless you’re going in the winter (mid-December to March). Choose your preferred t-shirts, shorts, skirts, and summer dresses instead. Despite this, it’s still a good idea to pack a few light jackets, pants, and long sleeve shirts in case it gets cool or if you want to go hiking. Never forget your raincoat when you come to visit! Uncomfortable rain might ruin your day of fun.
Don’t forget to bring sunscreen
Because of the hot, humid, and sunny weather, sunscreen is an indispensable item in your journey to Vietnam. You won’t have much trouble buying sunscreen at your local grocery store or even at a convenience store, supermarket, or drugstore. If you are a careful person, bring your favorite sunscreen before you depart.
Cultural travel tips to Vietnam
Learn to bargain
If you are visiting Vietnam for the first time, you will be really surprised at the prices here. Everything is very cheap, from food to clothes or supplies. However, prices are often pushed up quite a bit more than usual for tourists, so don’t hesitate to haggle. Try looking around for the item you want to buy or consult your Vietnamese friends, then bid on what you think is reasonable. By haggling, you can save a lot of money. Another tip to know is not to shop near the entrance of a market. These stores are known for demanding higher prices!
Don’t need to tip
Tipping servers in restaurants may be customary in your country, but it may not be required in Vietnam. The few tips that waiters do receive occasionally come from visitors. However, a 10% service charge is already included in your bill whether you choose to indulge in a lavish supper at a fine-dining establishment or stop by a swanky diner.
Try to learn some basic Vietnamese
Vietnamese is the official language in Vietnam, but English is frequently used in tourist hotspots and major cities. So there is no issue getting by without a dictionary or any fundamental conversational dialect. However, many individuals in Vietnam’s rural areas do not speak any English at all. Or, if they have, it is really simple. Even in restaurants, shops, and even hotels, it can be challenging to ask for the price of anything or place an order.
Even though you won’t likely experience language difficulties in a major city, it’s still a good idea to be familiar with the fundamentals. The following words and phrases can help you have a much more pleasurable trip and might even impress some locals: “Hello” (pronounced “sin jow”) and “thank you” (pronounced “kam on”) both mean “hello” and “thank you,” respectively. And finally, “beer” (pronounced “bee-ah”) means “beer,” which is the one you’ll probably use the most. For simpler communication with the natives, use Google Translate and pick up a Vietnamese phrase book.
Learn to cross the street
Vietnam is a country with a large number of motorbikes traveling on the road. Pedestrian signals and white lines that normally indicate a “pedestrian crossing” area don’t have much of an effect here. Motorcycles and cars will not stop pedestrians unless they absolutely have to. Traffic rules in Vietnam are not very strict, and many visitors can feel disorganized and scared if not terrified to have to go through intersections.
The trick we give is to raise your left hand high as a way of announcing or “begging for the way” so that people in traffic on the road see your signal that you want to cross the street, then walk at a steady, confident pace and don’t stop anywhere until you get to the other side of the road. This is the last tip in the “Travel tips to Vietnam every visitor should know” article.
As a result, the article has provided some travel tips to Vietnam that we think are quite useful for your upcoming trip. The article suggests essential items to bring when coming to this Southeast Asian country as well as cultural travel tips to Vietnam. Hope you will have wonderful and unforgettable experiences in your life in this beautiful country. We will see you in the following articles.
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