Vietnam is one of the most exotic destinations in Indochina. With 4000 years of history, Vietnam has thousands of intriguing historic sites spread around the country, which express our diligence, creativity and national pride. As being colonized for a long period, Vietnamese cuisines and architecture are influenced by the Chinese, French and American, and yet still well-preserved our traditions and folklore. Vietnam is endowed with a coastline of more than 3000 kilometers and many other stunning natural landscapes across the S-shaped nation. Tourism is one of the key sectors in our country with many incentives from government to attract foreign investors and international travelers. Vietnam is famous for our people’s friendliness and hospitality. We have many hotels and resorts which are of international standards and can satisfy even the most difficult tourists. Here are some Vietnam travel tips and travel guides so that you can have a perfect trip to our country.
More important Vietnam travel tips:
Ensure that your passport is still valid for six months from the date you travel to Vietnam.
There are 4 popular travel visa types: 1-month single entry, 1-month multiple entries, 3-month single entry, and 3-month multiple entries. Visa exemption is granted to these nationalities with certain date (updated March 2019):
As visa regulation in Vietnam keeps changing, let Paradise Travel help you to fulfill all required information for Vietnam travel visa and you can enjoy your trip without any legal troubles.
In Vietnam, only Vietnam Dong (VND) is accepted in any purchasing transactions. At some places like hotels, restaurants, souvenir stores, etc., travelers can use US Dollar to pay for the goods and services.
Currency and Vienam Dong exchange rates: (updated January 2024)
You should not prepare VND before your Vietnam trip since the exchange rate in your country may not be favorable. You can exchange foreign currency in some Vietnamese banks at the airport and around big cities (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City). There are many reputable local banks in our country such as VietinBank, SacomBank, VietcomBank, Agribank, and Eximbank. You can also find some foreign banks such as ANZ, HSBC, Standard Charter, Shinhan Bank, and Public Bank. Avoid unofficial places such as souvenir or jewelry shops.
Check with your departure immigration gate for the amount one person can bring first then you need to report to the arrival immigration in Vietnam if you bring over US $5000 (per person).
ATMs can be found everywhere in big cities. The withdrawal fee is around VND 23,000 (US $1)
Credit/ Debit Card can be used in some hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores.
Don’t be confused between VND 20,000 and VND 500,000 notes. They are very alike in terms of color.
Domestic flights: Vietnam is an elongated country, so flights are required for traveling between two regions. There are three reputable domestic airlines in Vietnam: Vietnam Airlines, BAMBOO AIRWAYS, and Vietjet Air. No need to waste time tracking down cheap airfare, we will search for the best flight deals in Vietnam for you.
Vietnam Airlines and BAMBOO AIRWAYS. Logo from: cdnlogo
Taxi: There are many illegal taxis in big cities. Grab is widely used in Vietnam, but remember that the fare will increase during rush hour.
We advise that at night or in the early morning, you can ask your restaurant or hotel to book you a cab since it will be hard to find a Grab driver at that time. Mai Linh, Taxi Group, and Vinasun are reputable brand names. These are phone numbers of some taxi brands:
If you travel to many provinces, renting a car in Vietnam will give you more flexibility.
Train: Train is considered a cheap and safe way to travel at night. We can help you purchase Vietnam train tickets to save time for your trip.
Boat: Boats are popular when taking a Halong Cruise or Mekong cruise. Contact us for qualified cruises with safe boats and experienced crews.
Cyclo: Getting around by a cyclo is fun but you should bargain before taking one. A journey should not cost more than VND 100,000 dong.
Moto taxis (xe om) are not recommended. The vehicle is old and worn out. Additionally, although it’s illegal to travel without a helmet, the helmet offered by xe om drivers may be of poor quality or damaged which cannot protect you from life-threatening accidents.
In general, Vietnam is characterized as tropical monsoon climate with high level of humidity. The weather varies considerably from north to south due to its topography.
The North has hot and humid summers and cold winters when the temperature may drop to 10 degrees Celsius. There may be snow in some northernmost points.
Central Vietnam is affected by storms between September and November, so make sure you plan your trip to this region during the period between January and August.
The South experiences hot weather throughout the year and high rainfall from May to August.
Read more:
Don’t wear shorts, skirts and sleeveless tops when entering a religious site. Wear long pants or dresses, cover your shoulders, remove your hats and leave your shoes at the door.
Vietnamese people dress conservatively and do not reveal too much skin, so make sure you respect our customs.
Tipping is not mandatory in Vietnam. However, a small tip is fine if you are satisfied with the service. Here are our suggested tipping amounts in Vietnam:
When meeting a new Vietnamese friend, it is not common for giving a kiss or a hug. A smile is fine and you may shake hands.
It is not common for couple’s public displays of affection in Vietnam, so refrain yourself.
Nude sunbathing is banned in our country, even on the beaches.
In tourist destinations like Hanoi, Ha Long, Ho Chi Minh City or Nha Trang, people can speak English at a decent level. However, if you travel to a small town, language barrier can be a little bit annoying. Download some translation apps for your smartphone.
Be aware of our public holiday because tourist destinations such as Vung Tau, Nha Trang and Mui Ne are very crowded with local travelers these days. Moreover, some services will be charged higher prices during the first three days of Tet holiday.
Vietnam is an elongated country with plenty of attractions from North to South. It depends on your plan to decide how many days for your trip – if you intend to visit only one region (the North, the Central or the South), 4 or 5 days are enough.
To discover all three regions in Vietnam, we recommend you spend at least 8 days for your trip. If you travel for 13 days or more, you will have a chance to visit Laos and Cambodia as well.
Essential Reading: Vietnam Itinerary Ideas
Don’t go crazy on packing. There are many supermarkets and convenient stores (Circle K, Shop & Go, Family Mart, etc.) around Vietnam, especially in tourist destinations such as Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City. You can easily find some essentials for your trip in Vietnam:
With delicious taste and appealing aroma, our local cuisines are worth trying in your discovery trip in Vietnam.
Read more:
Vietnam is a paradise for photographers. From emerald terraced rice fields, breathtaking karst mountains, turquoise beaches to rustic ancient towns and colorful ethnic market – every place can be a theme for your photos. There are some most attractive destinations in Vietnam which will be an inspiration for your aesthetic soul.
Souvenir shopping is an interesting part of a tour to Vietnam. Our traditional souvenirs are made by skillful handicrafts and they are affordable yet precious gifts for your relatives and friends.
Read more: 10 Best Souvenirs to Buy in Vietnam
There may be some hassle for first-time travelers to prepare accommodations, transportation and legal documents for your Vietnam trip. We understand your concerns and we are confident about our capabilities of tailor-making a Vietnam tour that meets your time, budget and special requirements.
We also manage a number of qualified tour guides and driver who can delight you with profound knowledge about Vietnam and excellent customer service.
Vietnam is an intriguing country, thus, you do not want to waste your time in scheduled shopping stops and touristy destinations. Let us help you to unlock the real and authentic Vietnam.
Find out which tour is suitable for you: 7 Best Vietnam Tours for First Time International Travelers
Interesting tours for first-time travelers to Vietnam
This post was last modified on January 2, 2024 2:55 am
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Thanks for sharing such an amazing & informative blog which will surely be a big help to those travelling to the vietnam. There are many amazing places to visit and out of many the beach resorts in the southern part of the country is very popular among the tourists.There one can find many beautiful beach resorts which provides top class hospitality.
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