Useful Tips Before You Go
Best Suggestion For Do's and Don't When Travel To Vietnam
Vietnam is known as one of the most friendly and safest countries in the world for travellers to visit, however there some diffirent culture and reaction from local that you may get supprise or sometime annoy. Our list of suggestion Dos and Don’t will help you to avoid the pity culture shock or misunderstand when you are travelling in Vietnam
I. List of Do’s When You are traveling in Vietnam
1. Dress Appropriately
Vietnamese are very friendly but a bit conservative about dress up. Tourists, especially female traveller should be awared their costume in public areas or religious sites. You are may be disrespectfully if wearing too short or skimpy while travelling
Vietam have quite hot and humid weather, especially Northen Vietnam, you should choose your dress with cotton material and relaxing, but don’t wear shorts, low-cut tops or revealing dresses when you go out or stop by a local’s house. Before a day tour, you should double check itinerary or with your local guide if any Temple, Pagoda or strick regulations such as Hochiminh’s Mausoleum to avoid being stop by the guards.
2. Remove bling and watch out for thieves
Although Vietnam is very safe country to visit, you still need keep an eye on your belongings. It’s better to keep all valuable things in hotel’s safe such as: jewellery, passport.. If they are going with you, remember to put them in secret part in your backpack and keep it in the front when you are walking in crowed area. Bag snatching can be really serious in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi city centre; don’t make yourself a target for theft.
3. Remember your hotel location
The main city like Hanoi and Hochiminh is really big and compicated. Do make sure that you remember exactly where you stay. The best solution is getting a hotel business card at reception or you can take a photo of hotel’s front. If you are get lost or tired, just jump on a cab and show the driver the hotel business card or photo you took. Almost all taxi drivers, motorcycle taxi riders cannot speak English or they may listen to the wrong address. You can also get back hotel by technology taxi like Grab or Gojek in Vietnam
4. Drink Water and keep yourself hydrated
The tropical heat in summer can knock you about anytime, so always bring along a bottle of water. Bottles of mineral water are available anywhere, but to avoid frauds, only buy them from a supermarket or a convenience store. Also, make sure you check if the bottle is carefully sealed.
5. Take off your shoes when you’re visit pagoda or being invited to a local’s home
Some Pagoda and Temples in Vietnam dont allow visitor wearing shoes or sandals inside. You will see a sight” Shoes off, please” at main entrance and should follow it. Most Vietnamese people don’t wear shoes inside their house. Watch how the owner does it, or look around if you see any shoe rack. In most cases, you will leave your shoes at the door.
6. Carry a roll of toilet paper with you
Bring one roll of toilet paper according to the trip seemed long. This is quite funny but you will not be able to realize its importance until you need it. Many public toilets in Vietnam don’t offer toilet paper and you don’t want to be caught out without it.
7. Be ready to haggle
Don’t hesitate to bargain until you’re happy, when you are at a Vietnamese market. People might take advantage of foreigners, as they don’t understand the language and the real values of items. Most sellers will settle for a lower price if you know how to bargain hard with a bright friendly smile
8. Try the Local Food as much as possible
Vietnamese traditional food is variety and one of the best in the world. Each minority or region always have a specific food that built their own reputation. You should try diffirent foods along your trip in Vietnam. I guaranty you will have a memorable experience of the region you passby. However, learn to use the chopsticks properly, as most food stalls don’t have forks and knives available. Keeping your chopsticks upright in your bowl of rice is considered a sign of bad luck, don’t ever do it while you’re in Vietnam..
9. Learn some local language
It’s quite difficult to learn Vietnamese within fewday. Anyway, you should learn some simple sentence such as “Cam on” (Thank you) and “Xin chao” (Hello) for fun. You will recognize that local people are more happy and friendly if you can say Hello in their language with big smile
I. List of Don't When You are traveling in Vietnam
1. Don’t take photos without precaution
Being as nice and hospitable as can be, Vietnamese people don’t really enjoy having their photos taken. Remember to ask for permission before taking photos of anyone, especially in the UNESCO Hoi An Town, where it might come with a price. Do not take any pictures in military areas, as the government considers it a breach of national security and you might end up in jail.
2. Don’t show too much affection in public
The average Asian person is far more reserved and conservative than the average Westerner. That’s why public display of romantic love is not encouraged in most Asian countries, including Vietnam. Don’t shower your partner with kisses and cuddles, unless you’re in a private room. Anything beyond holding hands is seriously frowned upon and considered offensive in public.
3. Don’t freak out when crossing the road
Getting around Vietnam is easy thanks to a various means of transportation but the traffic here can be really intimidating, especially when you’re in big cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. However, panicking will only make it worse and increase your risk of getting hit. Being strong and certain, watching where you’re going and maintaining good eye contact with drivers are the best you can do to help yourself out of it.
4. Don’t sleep or sit with your feet pointing at the altar
Don’t sit with your feet pointing towards a family altar if you are staying in a local’s house. It goes against their common religious beliefs.
5. Don’t be too loud in religious institutions
You are expected to keep quiet and pay respect when you’re at a pagoda, temple or church. You might try praying like the local people by putting your hands together, or simply walking around in silence. Tranquility is what most people seek when coming to this sort of places.
6. Don’t get involved in illegal issues
If you enjoy nightlife activities, you can check out some marvellous bars and pubs in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. However, make sure you stay away from drugs and prostitution. They’re undeniably illegal in Vietnam and you might get yourself in real troubles if you mess with them.
7. Don’t mention the war
The pain of war still lingers here and there in the life of Vietnamese people. Don’t mention the war in almost any cases, as people might get either emotional or aggressive when such topic is brought up.
Being a friendly and safe destination, Vietnam welcomes tourists from all parts of the world and all walks of life. Fear not, Vietnamese people are very appreciative if they see you trying to abide by their customs, and very forgiving if you get some of them wrong. We hope that these lists of Do’s and Don’ts when traveling in Vietnam will help you make the most of your experience and avoid at maximum embarrassing situations.
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