For those who’re planning a visit to Vietnam, listed below are 17 important issues to know earlier than going to Vietnam. Arrive armed with the following pointers and also you’ll be the savviest traveller touching down on the airport…
I’m now practically on the finish of my 3 week journey by way of Vietnam, and to place it merely, we’ve had probably the most unimaginable time! We began in Hanoi the place we spent a while getting our bearings and adjusting to the time distinction, earlier than travelling to Halong Bay for a 2 day, 1 night time cruise. After that we jumped on a 6 hour sleeper coach to Sapa (Northern Vietnam), the place we spent 2 days trekking by way of the spectacular Sapa valley. Following that we headed additional south to Hue and motorbiked cross nation to Hoi An. After that adopted a keep at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Nha Trang, earlier than ending in my present location of Ho Chi Minh Metropolis (previously generally known as Saigon). Phew!
After studying this weblog submit, remember to try my detailed 3 week Vietnam journey itinerary.
It has been a whirlwind to say the least, and now we have already ticked off so many breathtaking and unforgettable experiences. However as with all new nation, it took us some time to regulate to the tradition and lifestyle right here. I used to be lucky sufficient to come back away with some nice recommendation from mates and fellow journey bloggers, however there are definitely loads of different issues I want I knew earlier than I got here out right here.
17 important issues to know earlier than going to Vietnam
1. Apply in your visa (if you happen to’re staying longer than 15 days)
The Vietnamese don’t make it too straightforward so that you can enter their nation. In actual fact, if you happen to’re exceeding 15 days right here, the method is down proper tedious, nevertheless it’s vital nonetheless. Be sure you begin this course of a few weeks earlier than you journey on the newest. Right here’s what to do:
1. Apply for a letter of admission from the Vietnamese Embassy. There are numerous firms you can apply by way of. I used vietnamvisa.govt.vn and so they despatched me a letter inside 2-3 days of utility. This prices $17 USD
2. As soon as acquired, print the letter
3. Print the visa utility kind on-line and fill it out
4. Put together current x2 passport images
5. Trade some USD earlier than you fly as that is the foreign money you need to pay in your visa with on the airport (a 30 day single entry visa prices $25)
Be certain that all the above is in your hand baggage on arrival on the airport because the visa course of comes earlier than baggage assortment.
2. Be ready for Airport visa queues
And in spite of everything that, the method continues on the airport. The visa utility queues in Vietnam are notoriously unhealthy, and if you happen to arrive in the back of the pack you would be ready as much as 3 hours on arrival within the airport. Think about that after a protracted haul flight?
TOP TIP: Guarantee your seats are on the entrance of the airplane and whenever you step off the airplane, don’t cease for the bathroom. Energy stroll (or run!) straight to the visa utility desk and attempt to be the primary there. After a protracted flight, the very last thing you wish to do is wait round any longer.
3. Verify your journey vaccinations
If potential, guide an appointment along with your GP 6-8 weeks earlier than you journey to search out out which journey vaccinations you’re due. There are a couple of new vaccinations in the marketplace now which your GP could give you, resembling Japanese Encephilitus, nevertheless it doesn’t come low cost. Determine for your self what you’re feeling comfy with however I might advise making certain you’re coated for the fundamentals on the very least.
4. {Dollars} vs Dong
You will have each US {Dollars} and Vietnamese Dong for travelling round Vietnam. US {dollars} are mostly used for something touristy e.g. reserving a tour, reserving home transport or paying for a lodge. Vietnamese Dong is mostly used for extra native enterprises e.g. eating places, bars, retailers and market stalls. You possibly can withdraw Dong from an ATM on arrival however be sure you’re armed with USD to pay for that visa. When you have a alternative between paying in Dong or {Dollars}, Dong normally works out cheaper.
5. Journey Brokers are your folks
Don’t fear about reserving each facet of your journey earlier than you arrive. Each city price visiting e.g. Hanoi, Sapa, Hoi An has a journey company round each nook. Utilizing these journey places of work is a particularly handy solution to plan further parts of your journey, whether or not it’s and inner sleeper bus, day tour or 3 night time bundle.
6. Ebook lodging in your first night time
Arriving in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh Metropolis will be considerably of a tradition shock, particularly if you happen to haven’t travelled a lot in Asia earlier than. The streets are hectic, the scooters are loopy and there isn’t a substantial amount of vacationer info to information you thru. This thought of, I might strongly suggest reserving your first couple of nights. This manner you understand your ultimate vacation spot and may simply leap in a cab as quickly as you full visa-gate. Begin with doing a primary search on Reserving.com based mostly in your location and finances per night time.
For those who’re flying in to Hanoi, I can extremely suggest Nexy Hostel. It’s a boutique ‘luxurious’ hostel within the coronary heart of the Previous Quarter with quirky decor, nice Wi-Fi, cozy beds, free breakfast and extremely useful workers. It’s a little bit protected haven away from the busy streets. I stayed right here for 3 nights in the beginning of my journey. Dorms price from $7 per night time, non-public rooms price $40 per night time. It’s an incredible first hostel to ease you into your journey.
7. Don’t be afraid to haggle – this can be a completely regular customized in Vietnam
Haggling / bartering could be very a lot part of Vietnamese tradition, particularly when vacationers are concerned. You possibly can check out your negotiation abilities in markets, impartial retailers and even magnificence and therapeutic massage salons. You possibly can both ask for a “higher value” or inform them what you’re prepared to pay. In eating places and bars, costs space fastened, except it’s blissful hour! Being clued up on haggling is likely one of the most essential issues to know earlier than going to Vietnam.
TOP TIP: In the event that they allow you to stroll out of their store with out discounting the worth additional, you understand you’ve gone too low. You possibly can at all times return later and settle for the very best value they beforehand provided.
8. Taxi Knowhow
There are official taxi firms in all main cities, all of that are dust low cost and use a good meter system. Nonetheless, you’ll discover that many taxi drivers park up round vacationer factors of curiosity and attempt to offer you a experience. Don’t get in these taxis. We did this in Hanoi and the driving force had rigged the meter to go up so ridiculously quick. If we hadn’t have taken a couple of rides previous to this we wouldn’t have seen, however as quickly as we seen we jumped out right away. It was solely a minor rip-off nevertheless it’s not definitely worth the danger. As a rule of thumb, at all times attempt to flag down an official metropolis taxi. You received’t have to attend too lengthy.
9. The Sleeper Buses are superior
For those who’re planning to journey from metropolis to metropolis and are on a finances, the sleeper buses are your reply. Earlier than arriving in Vietnam I had by no means seen something prefer it. The person seats are extra like beds, permitting you the prolong your legs totally and recline til you’re mendacity down. We travelled from Hanoi to Sapa, Hoi An to Nha Trang and Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis by these buses and paid about $12 every per journey. Most sleeper buses are very clear and have a bathroom on board. It’s not going to be the very best night time’s sleep you’ll ever have, nevertheless it saves you spending cash on a lodge for the night time and ensures you don’t free days in transit. You possibly can guide the buses from any reserving workplace / journey agent you stumble throughout, and solely want to permit 1 day’s discover. If finances isn’t a problem otherwise you’re very tight for time, flying is the best choice.
10. What to put on day-to-day
The overall gown code is fairly laid again in Vietnam. Shorts / skirts and light-weight weight t-shirts and vest tops might be your day by day staples. The one time you should suppose extra rigorously about what you’re sporting is if you happen to go to any temples or mosques.
11. Pack a heat jumper and sweatpants
This may increasingly appear to be a wierd suggestion for Vietnam, nevertheless it’s as a result of the air con on transport can get icy chilly. For those who’re backpacking Vietnam and utilizing coaches and night time buses, cosy clothes is a should.
12. You want modest clothes for visiting temples or mosques
It’s essential to cowl up for visiting sacred websites however most likely don’t wish to be sporting layers all day lengthy within the warmth. One of the best ways round it’s to pack a couple of gentle layers. Women, deliver a pashmina so you may wrap it round your shoulders, and guys and ladies ought to each deliver a pair of sunshine weight lengthy trousers. You possibly can decide these up for very low cost whenever you’re on the market, or pack them upfront.
13. Wi-Fi is in all places
If you wish to keep related in your travels, haven’t any concern! In my expertise right here, the Wi-Fi is improbable right here and all cafés, eating places, hostels and inns have it without cost. Even probably the most finances hostels could have it within the rooms.
14. Hostels vs Motels
Don’t be postpone by the time period ‘hostel’. All those now we have stayed in have been clear, pleasant, extraordinarily properly positioned and extremely low cost. For those who’re not up for the shared dorm expertise, don’t fear. A lot of them provide non-public rooms with aircon, which now we have opted for every time. However within the shared dorms you’ll get a fair cheaper charge. And if you happen to’re not again packing round Vietnam and wish extra of a luxurious lodge expertise, there are nonetheless a lot to select from at a fraction of the worth in comparison with Europe. What’s to not love?
15. Organize your journey insurance coverage earlier than the day of journey
Journey insurance coverage is one thing that may be simply missed earlier than going backpacking in Vietnam, however it may be invaluable if you happen to get your self right into a troublesome scenario. I at all times guide my journey insurance coverage with HolidayExtras and have at all times discovered them to be have actually dependable, cheap and clear insurance policies. Be certain that that is organized at the very least 1 day earlier than the primary day of your journey to make it legitimate in your outbound journey.
16. Depart valuables at residence
Minimise the danger of something going improper in your journey by leaving any non-essential valuables behind. This might be your favorite jewelry, that designer merchandise you like or your costly tech. You could suppose you want it, however you actually don’t. Take into consideration shopping for cheaper variations of the costly objects in your travels e.g. swap your Bose headphones for a less expensive Amazon dupe. Don’t make your self a goal. Embrace the problem of going again to fundamentals in Vietnam and also you’ll be glad you probably did.
17. Your Vietnam Packing listing
- US {dollars}
- Visa Paperwork
- Waterproof jacket
- Pashmina
- Rucksack / day bag
- Mild weight trousers
- Mosquito repellent (50% deet and above)
- After-bite
- Dry bag (for water sports activities actions)
- Journey wash (for freshening up your garments)
- Mini first assist package
- Comfy sandals / trainers
- A Vietnam journey information
That is an sincere submit full of information to make your journey expertise simpler. While I’ve been fairly direct about some points of travelling in Vietnam, don’t be postpone. Vietnam is a captivating, various and surprisingly straightforward nation to journey by way of. From seashores and waterfalls to mountains and jungle, Vietnam has all of it. For those who select to find it, you’ll be rewarded endlessly.
Learn extra of my Vietnam posts;
- My 3 Week Vietnam Journey Itinerary
- My First Time at a Vietnamese Cooking Class
- Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam, Lodge Assessment
What did you consider these 17 factor to know earlier than going to Vietnam? For those who loved this submit or discovered it useful, please do depart me a remark and let me know! Additionally, when you have travelled to Vietnam and have some further suggestions, I’d love you to share them in a remark! Jess x
