Vietnam Travel Tips for First-Timers

Vietnam Travel Tips for First-Timers

If anyone says to you that travelling to Vietnam has never been on their bucket list, then you know that they are lying. Vietnam is a dream destination for every person out there, especially for passionate travellers. With its vibrant culture, amazing diversity of landscapes, and hearty people, it has a lot to offer visitors. From the northern mountains of Sa Pa to the tropical coral reefs of Nha Trang, traveling to Vietnam is a culturally empowering yet adventurous experience you can have. However, if you’re planning to visit Vietnam, you should keep in mind a few tips for a smooth and enjoyable tour. With the Vietnam travel tips, it will become a better experience for you, whether you are travelling with your loved ones or solo!

Vietnam Travel TipsTravel Tips for a Smooth Trip to Vietnam

Let’s take a look at the tips that you need to follow for a memorable trip to Vietnam.

Get Acquainted With the Local Language

Learning their local language will always be an added benefit for you. Learn to speak a few everyday phrases, which might come in use when communicating with the locals, shopkeepers or taxi drivers. A major number of Vietnamese prefer to use their native language rather than speaking English. A tourist speaking the local dialect is always appreciated.

Travelling When the World Will Not

This is a big travel tip; in fact, we would say that this is one of the most important Vietnam travel tips. Winter is the off-season in Vietnam, and travelling in that period is one of the best ideas. Places can be crowded, and there can be long queues with longer waiting hours. Avoid visiting the places in the months of early December and November. If you are lucky, you might also get flights, trains, and hotel charges at much cheaper rates.

Get the Most Out of Local Businesses

Always support the local family businesses as their means of living is solely dependent on tourism. Also, these roadside shops, stalls, or restaurants are always pocket-friendly, and you can also make a friend or two. The cuisines that you will try will have an authentic zing to them, and the souvenirs will have a long-lived personal touch.

Wear a Pair of Comfortable Footwear

This isn’t given much thought, but this is one of the most useful travel tips. Exploring Vietnam consists of a lot of walking. So you have to make sure that your pair of shoes, or whichever footwear you choose to wear, must be comfortable and of good quality as well.

Respect Local Culture and Customs

Vietnamese people are a bit reserved, but they are also outgoing and friendly. The best way to respect local customs and culture is to ensure that you dress respectfully and conservatively when you are visiting significant landmarks and temples. In general, you’re recommended to keep your knees and shoulders covered when you’re visiting famous temples in Vietnam.

Use a Taxi App

The most convenient way to get around Vietnam is to use local taxis. However, due to the increase in taxi apps use it has become a bit challenging to flag taxis at the roadside. And if you’re not able to find taxis on the roadside, you will have to barter with taxi drivers. A significant benefit of using taxi apps is that on the app, the prices are fixed. You will get a fair price for your trip without the need to barter. Grab and Gojek are the main taxi apps.

Book Accommodation Beforehand

If you plan to visit Vietnam, you should book accommodations beforehand, especially in the peak season. The cost of accommodations is very high in peak season, so if you want to avoid overpaying, you should make the booking beforehand.

Plan Your Itinerary

Vietnam is a large country, and it takes more than 24 hours to travel to the south of Vietnam from the North over land (from north to south, the country is over 1,000 miles). Even if you make the decision to fly, this will take up a significant amount of your travel time. Therefore, you should plan your itinerary carefully. Consider the things you wish to do before visiting Vietnam and ensure you have enough time on hand to do what you want to do.

Try Out Street Food

Street food in Vietnam is readily available, delicious, and cheap. Vietnam’s street food culture is considered to be an amazing part of the travel experience. Many of the cities and towns in Vietnam have plenty of small restaurants and cafes, and street food markets. If you get a chance, you should take a street food tour.

Sort Out Your Visa

You can enter Vietnam only when you have a visa. You should apply for a visa at least 10-15 days before your travel date. Upon arrival in Vietnam, you should check all your documents and ensure you bring pre-approval papers and a visa on arrival.

Pack According to the Weather

The seasons in Vietnam can have an influence on what you pack. For example, if you’re visiting the country during the monsoon, you should pack rain gear. If you’re traveling to Vietnam in winter, especially to the northern regions, you should carry warm clothing. So, it is important to understand Vietnam’s weather patterns before embarking on the journey.

Conclusion

The travel tips mentioned above will definitely make your trip better and more delightful. Nonetheless, it is essential to plan everything beforehand in order to utilise your hard-earned money and get the best out of your travel budget.