- Know the price to avoid scamming
Regrettably, Vietnam has gained a reputation for scams and fraudulent practices, with taxi drivers, moto-taxi operators, and overly affable street vendors excelling at deceiving unsuspecting tourists.
Furthermore, in numerous street eateries where the prices are not displayed on the menu, it can be quite challenging to verify the accuracy of the bill.
It is recommended that visitors inquire about the prices prior to making any decisions regarding their orders.
- Bed bugs and mosquitoes
There is nothing more alarming than the potential of being bitten by bed bugs and mosquitoes. Particularly, bed bugs may be found lurking beneath the seams of your mattress or around bedside tables in dormitories if they are not inspected prior to settling in. This serves as a reminder of important travel advice for those visiting Vietnam.
- Water and food safety
In Vietnam, consuming tap water is never advisable due to the significant levels of metals and contamination present. The most prudent option is to opt for bottled water or filtered water, if it is accessible.
When considering food options, it is important to recognize that much of the street food in Vietnam may pose hygiene concerns, as it is often difficult to ascertain the origins of the ingredients used.
- Traffic and driving safety
Honking, red light running, wrong lane driving, calling while texting… crazy traffics happens on the streets of Vietnam continuously.
So if you have thought about country driving before, please be also aware of the chance you can hit in any crash or accident, when you are being care!
- Dress conservatively
Remember not to wear short-sleeved shirts or shorts when entering holy sites. In large cities, clothing may not be a big issue, but in small towns or when visiting the elderly, casual clothing is considered appropriate out of respect.
- Beware of the weather
Visitors are not guaranteed to see the best and most spectacular views during the off-season. Sometimes during the rainy season, you might be stuck in your hotel all day or have to cancel your trip because the city is flooded.
One of the most important things to know before traveling to Vietnam is to research and understand the weather in Vietnam. Due to the huge size of the country, the weather in Vietnam naturally varies greatly from place to place. The weather is really extreme – when I traveled to Vietnam, it snowed in Sapa, and the scorching sun in Mui Ne was unbearable!
Northern Vietnam: Winters are very cold, especially in the border with China, with temperatures dropping to single digits, and even sub-zero temperatures are common in northern Vietnam. Summers are hot, and even in this season it sometimes rains. The rainy season is often accompanied by typhoons and storms, leading to landslides and other natural disasters.
The ideal time to travel to the north is between March and May, after the summer and before the monsoon arrives. Or between October and November, after the monsoon and before the start of summer (this can be difficult due to typhoons).
Central Vietnam: The weather in Central Vietnam is tropical with dry weather from January to August, and the monsoon season starts in August and lasts until November, as there is a window of travellers from October to January.
Southern Vietnam: Further south in Vietnam, there is a distinctly tropical climate with two seasons, rainy and dry. This is more or less the same as Central Vietnam above, and is perfect for travel from December to April.
Vietnam Typhoons: This situation is our normal (often it is in the Philippines as well); a typhoon is barrelling towards Vietnam. Entering Vietnam not knowing any of these is a huge gamble. While there is no way to predict that far in advance, typically the country are already aware of several days before a typhoon hits its land and people can prepare themselves. So mount severe weather online example hurricanes.
The Central and South Vietnam areas are between August & November, lots of typhoons with floods flooding the regions, however the top Revelry around late June or July there are some typhoons arriving. On this account, the storms experienced nationwide often continues to rise until October, and more than enough for a month is likely to be effective because it falls accordingly in relation to when the typhoon season usually ends by December of each year.
- Avoid going out late
Vietnam may be considered one of the safest countries in the world, but you should REALLY BE CONCERNED about returning to your hotel at midnight.
Even if you report the incident, the police will not provide you with any help, and it may take a while for your embassy to review your case.
- Never climb the mountain alone
There is nothing more exciting and thrilling than being alone, completely immersed in nature, without a guide. However, be warned that the cliffs and routes in Vietnam’s forests and mountains are dangerous and unpredictable. The death of a 22-year-old British climber last year should be a cherished memory for every hiker.
- Delayed airlines
Most Vietnamese airlines are known for delaying flights, no matter the cost. So if you are planning to attend an important meeting or need to make an urgent trip, consider the flight time carefully and plan extra waiting time in your travel plans!
- Pollution
Recently, the major Vietnamese cities have become a potential rival to Beijing on the list of the most polluted cities in the world. If tourists plan to visit the city during peak hours, it is best to wear a mask.
- Don’t drink too much
One of the best things about traveling to Vietnam is the wide range of cheap alcoholic beverages the country offers. However, when it comes to their quality standards, a hangover can be worse than you think.
- Be prepared if you’re a vegan or vegetarian
Despite Buddhism being the most popular religion in Vietnam, most people frown upon the idea of being vegetarian or vegan. It is often difficult to get vegan food if you choose a regular restaurant instead of a vegan establishment.
- Avoid national holidays Vietnam Travel Tips
It is recommended to research national holidays before traveling to Vietnam, as most locals return to their hometowns, making the city feel like a haunted place.
In the worst case scenario, especially during the New Year, local restaurants will close for a few days without further announcement of a reopening date.
- Don’t let the size of the country fool you
One of the things not to do in Vietnam is to underestimate the size of the country. On a map, it may look like a narrow strip of land next to the sea, but did you know that the country is at least 1,800 kilometers long from north to south? And it takes more than 36 hours to get from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City! Now you know the size of Vietnam, right?
