25 top things you should know when planning a trip to Vietnam

25 Must-Noted Things to Know When Doing Trips to Vietnam.

Exploring a new country offers a fascinating travel experience, allowing you to discover its attractions, history, local people, and cultures. If you're planning a visit to Vietnam, make sure to prepare by keeping in mind these 25 essential things before traveling to Vietnam

A.Vietnam’s General Travel Information.

1. Best Time to Visit Vietnam.

To experience Vietnam's most captivating hidden gems, it's best to plan your trip during the ideal time of the year when the weather is at its finest.

The period between November and April is considered the best time to visit Vietnam, characterized by the lowest rainfall of the year. During this time, the northern regions are pleasantly cool, while the southern areas are relatively dry. As this period coincides with the high season for foreign tourists in Vietnam, it's advisable to book your services in advance to ensure availability.

Stunning landscapes in Hoang Su Phi district- Ha Giang

Alternatively, traveling between April and June offers warmer weather with more sunshine and clearer skies, providing excellent photo opportunities in destinations like Halong Bay and Sapa. This period also aligns with Vietnam's school holidays, prompting Vietnamese families to spend their vacations at beaches or highland resorts to enjoy the fresh, cool air. If you are making a Vietnam beach vacation or mountain retreats on weekends during this time, make sure to book the service far in advance to get a good price & the hotel room's availability.

2. Visa to Enter Vietnam.

Getting a Vietnam visa is now more convenient than ever, as you can easily apply for it online. If you are from ASEAN or from countries with visa exemption agreements with Vietnam, such as France, UK, Italy, Spain….., you are allowed to enter Vietnam for a specified period without needing to apply for a visa. Learn more about visa exemptions and how to apply for a visa online in this article

Visa form to enter Vietnam

3. Learn Some Useful Vietnamese Phrases.

While English is increasingly spoken in major cities across Vietnam, many locals in rural and remote areas can't speak the language at all. Therefore, learning some basic Vietnamese phrases can greatly enhance your travel experience in Vietnam, enabling easier communication with locals during your journey.

Here are some simple phrases to keep in mind:

• Hi, my name ……: Xin chào, tôi là….. [your name].
• Thank you: Cám ơn.
• Sorry/Excuse me: Xin lỗi.
• Bye bye: Tạm biệt.
• Please, help: Xin hãy giúp tôi.

4. Security & Alert Scams to be Noted in Vietnam.

Renowned for its political stability, Vietnam is considered one of the safest countries, making it an attractive destination for travelers in recent years. When visiting Vietnam, you don't need to worry about terrorism or demonstrations. However, some scams and thefts do occur, especially in tourist areas. Stay alert about these common scams and thefts in Vietnam to safeguard your belongings and valuable assets

5. Be Careful with Vietnam’s Crazy Traffic.

The traffic in Vietnam can be overwhelming, especially in big cities with many motorbikes. However, you'll soon get used to it during your trip. Gradually, you'll get the skills needed to cross the streets and navigate your journey smoothly. Crossing the roads isn't as daunting as it seems. Start by following traffic lights and pedestrian crossing signs. When crossing, move slowly and steadily without running or hesitating, making eye contact & signal with drivers. The motorbikes will anticipate your movement and make way for you.

Street crossing in Hanoi

6. Cover up When Visiting Worshipping & Memorial Places.

Vietnam is a country with multi – religions, home to numerous temples and pagodas. If you're planning to visit any of these religious sites, be sure to wear appropriate clothing or bring an extra shirt to cover your shoulders. This is also required when visiting the Ho Chi Minh Complex, dedicated to the former president of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh. Remember that these are religious and memorial places, so it's important to follow local regulations, show respect, and wear clothing that meets local expectations.

B.Historical & Cultural Symbols of Vietnam.

7. National Flower – Symbolic Lotus.

In reality, Vietnam has not officially designated a national flower. However, when asked about Vietnam’s national flower, most Vietnamese people think of the lotus. This is because the lotus has long been recognized as a symbol of purity and beauty, appearing throughout Vietnam in various forms—from ancient architecture and captivating poetry to modern brand logos. This widespread cultural significance is why the majority of Vietnamese consider the lotus to be their national flower

8. Ao Dai & Conical Hat–the Traditional Symbols for Vietnamese Women’s Beauty

The Ao Dai (traditional long dress for women), Vietnam's most beautiful and delicate national costume, has gained worldwide recognition. With a long history and various transformations, it has evolved into its present elegant design. This long traditional dress, often paired with a conical hat ( Nón Lá), epitomizes the beauty of Vietnamese women

Long traditional dress & conical hat for in Miss Vietnam Contest

9. Water Puppet – Unique Vietnamese Performance

Unique to Vietnam, water puppet show was created by Vietnamese peasants in Red River delta and become the national folk art nowadays.The art of water puppet lies at the puppet controlling skills, folk musics and the stage decoration.It is a must-see performance on your visit to Vietnam.

10. Historical Figures –the Nation’s Heroes

When it comes to Vietnam's historical figures, there are several key individuals you should know. The Dynasty of Hung Kings marks the earliest governmental reign in Vietnam's history. The Trung Sisters are revered as brave leaders who fought against Chinese invaders. Figures like Ngo Quyen, Tran Hung Dao, Ly Thuong Kiet, Nguyen Trai, and Quang Trung are celebrated heroes who led the nation against northern invasions, securing significant victories.

In modern history, President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap are remembered for their exceptional leadership during the wars with France and the United States. It's essential to familiarize yourself with these figures, as they hold significant importance in Vietnamese culture and history. We encourage tourists to show the same level of respect towards these revered figures as Vietnamese people do.

C. Travel Expences – Good to Know about Local Currency, Shopping Culture, Tips & Travel Cost

11. Bring Some Cashes along Your Trip & Know How to Differentiate the Notes

Although bank transactions and online payments are on the rise in Vietnam, cash still dominates the market. Additionally, many small local shops and street vendors do not accept bank card payments, so it is advisable to always carry some cash with you. Vietnamese currency can be confusing, as some notes are similar in color but differ significantly in value. Familiarizing yourself with the different note values is essential. This is one of the important things to know before traveling to Vietnam.

VND – different note values

12. Bargain When Shopping in Local Markets

Prices in local markets and some shops in Vietnam are often not listed, so bargaining is essential when shopping. Sellers, especially in popular areas like Hanoi's Old Quarter, Ben Thanh Market, or night markets, often quote high prices to foreigners. It's important to shop around at a few places to find the best deals. Knowing this in advance will help you understand why bargaining is a common practice in Vietnam and avoid any surprises

13. Tips for the Good Service Delivered.

Tipping is an aspect of travel etiquette to be mindful of when visiting Vietnam. The practice of tipping varies depending on the circumstances and the quality of service received. For instance, when dining a rice noodle at a local restaurant, tipping is not mandatory; you simply pay for what you ordered. However, if you are particularly pleased with the service, it is customary to leave a tip of around 10% of the bill.

It's important to note that the decision to tip, as well as the amount, should be based on the level of service provided. In the tourism and hospitality sector (including drivers, guides, porters, waiters, etc.), tips are greatly appreciated as much of their income depends on your tips

14. The Cost of Travelling in Vietnam.

It depends on your trip duration & the service that you use so the cost of travelling will be different drastically from budget to luxury ones. To have a comfortable trip in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city, you may need to spend around 80 usd- 150 usd/ day including the hotel fee, food, transportation and expences for some sightseeing around.

D.Vietnam’s Religions & Its Ancestor Worshipping Cultures.

15. Ancestor Worshipping – the Root of Vietnamese Culture

Ancestor worshipping is a popularly cultural aspect in Vietnam.Whether someone follows a religion or not, he always has an altar to worship his ancestor at home. In special events of family such as wedding, new year celebration…., people in the family often pay a visit to the ancestor’s graves inviting the dead home to celebrate the events with the family. That is among the most interesting culture you should know when travelling to Vietnam

Vietnamese ancestor worshipping culture

16. Buddhism – the Biggest Religion in Vietnam.

Buddhism is the biggest religion in Vietnam with 80% of population regarding Buddhish belief as their way of life : reincarnation, causal theory, diet eating….. Whether following Buddhism or not, Vietnamese have always had a good attitude toward this religion and most of Vietnamese go temples & pagoda on special occasions

17. The Harmorny of All Religions.

Besides Buddhism, there are many other religions coexisting in Vietnam such as Christianity, Islam, Caodaism….. Though being different in philosophies & practices, all the religions stay in harmorny, and each of them has their own religious places & practices which are well supported by the government.

E.Vietnam Attractions to Visit in Your Vietnam Trip.

18. Beautiful & Natural Landscapes.

Vietnam is a beautiful country with long coastal lines where are with pristine beaches, bays & gorgeous islands that you can expect to have relaxed beach vacations in tropical climate : Nha Trang beach & bay, Phu Quoc island, Mui Ne, Halong bay…. Moreover, three fourth of Vietnam are mountains so the landscapes are really spectacular, you can indulge yourselves in nature with trekking, biking funs and homestaying in local villages in Sapa, Ha Giang, Mu Cang Chai, Pu Luong….. You can read more about Vietnam’s highlighted travel destinations and plan your trip accordingly.

Sapa beauty in rice harvest time

19. Historical & Cultural Monuments

The country has undergone so many wars for more than a thousand years, there are many of museums & monuments in Vietnam. In addition, you can pay a visit to other museums about the arts, ethnology, geology or cultural facts. If you love to hide yourself from the hot sun, you can explore those museums & monuments getting to know more about Vietnam’s history & cultures in details

20. Religious Architectures

As we mentioned earlier, Vietnam has many religions and their own religious practice places with amazing designs.You can find here ancient pagodas, temples, churches, mosques and so on. There are some welknown religious places you can pay a visit to such as Duc Ba Cathedral (Ho Chi Minh city), Big Church, One Pillar pagoda ( Hanoi city) , Thien Mu pagoda (Hue)

Nice architecture of  Vuong Chi Sinh Palace in Bac Ha region

21. Bars, Pubs, Coffee Shops with Live Musics.

If you are looking for a place of some music, dancing and drinking, there are many of bars, night clubs available in the big cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh or Da Nang awaiting for you.Besides, you can take part in local coffee shops with live music performances (Jazz, rock, pop ..)  performed by passionate singers and music bands….

F.Foods & Drinks in Vietnam.

22. Food Hygiene to Care for the First Timers to Vietnam.

If you are the first timers doing trips to Vietnam, you should pay attention to the food that you will eat. You may have stomachage and ruin the rest of your trip, especially when your stomach is not in a good condition. It is better to choose the best-rated restaurants ( even street food stalls- highly voted as the good ones) for your dinning. Those ones are not only supplying good dishes but aslo delivering good service.

23. Avoid Drinking Tap Water.

Not the same as Euroupean or American countries, tap water in Vetnam is not ok to drink directly if not being boiled. In your Vietnam journey, you should buy mineral water bottles ( Aquafina or La Vie brand) from the convenient stores and bring along your trip.

The tab water should not be drunk in Vietnam if not boiling

25. Popular Foods & Drinks to Try in Vietnam.

Vietnam foods & drinks are highly rated & loved among international tourists making their trips to Vietnam.

Travelling to Vietnam, Nem (sprill rolls), Pho ( noudle with beef or chicken), Bun Cha (Grilled pork with rice noodle)…. are the dishes you should try in your dining ! You can get reference at top dishes to try in Vietnam

Besides the foods, the drinks you should try when making a trip to Vietnam are Vietnamese coffee, Bia Hoi Hanoi ( Hanoi draught beer), Tra Da ( Ice green tea), Cafe Trứng (egg coffee)……, which will help to refesh & cool your thirst during your walking tours around the city

Vietnam Vacations with Golden Holiday Travel.

As a licensed local travel company in Vietnam, Golden Holiday Travel continuously strive to provide useful travel tips and guides on our blog to assist travelers planning their trips to Vietnam. Here are our local insights on 25 essential things you should know when traveling to Vietnam, which can serve as a valuable reference for you.

If you require travel consultancy, support with Vietnam travel packages, or car rental services in Vietnam, please email us at [email protected] or contact us at +84.988451530 (WhatsApp, SMS). Our team of travel specialists will promptly assist you in planning a memorable trip to Vietnam