Destination Vietnam
- Location
- When to Travel?
- How to Travel in Vietnam?
- Who Is My Guide?
- Hotels and Restaurants
- Preparations & Expectations
- Health and Safety
- Visas
Preparations & Expectations
Expect a new travel experience. Expect to see a picture perfect landscape of rice paddies and water buffaloes. Expect bustling cities and busy streets of bicycles and motorcycles, which are a challenge to cross. Expect to be popular with the locals, to be stopped in the street for an unexpected conversation. Expect lazy afternoons at a beach where fresh crab is on the menu. Expect newly built international hotel properties in the major centres, and renovated 3-star properties in the provinces. Expect the occasional mishap - a delayed flight or a short power outage. Expect stunning mountain passes and endless photo opportunities. Expect to take caution with your valuables. Expect to find unexpected bargains! Expect crowded airports. Expect your guide to take care of that for you. Expect to sample a new and unique cuisine. Expect a hamburger from the hotel buffet when you crave it. Expect the noise, expect the heat. Expect to learn about daily rituals and traditions performed for hundreds of years, to hear legends, to smell exotic spices in a local market. Expect to eat French loaves. Expect to marvel at ancient towers that remain standing after 500 years, through wars and countless monsoon storms. Expect exciting new art. Expect welcoming smiles… Expect things to be different from what they are at home - as is so often said, “Isn’t that why you came in the first place?”
Clothing
Light, comfortable clothing, with warmer clothes for the winter months are recommended. Good walking shoes are also beneficial. Shorts are acceptable on women however the Vietnamese are still modest and very revealing clothing is frowned upon. Some temples and tourist sites do not permit shorts above the knee. Dinner restaurants require only smart/casual clothing.
Health
An anti-gastric or upset stomach remedy is recommended as you may be eating food your system is unused to. We recommend you seek a medical practitioner’s advice on up to date precautionary medicine. It is not recommended that medicines be purchased inside Vietnam.
Food/Cuisine
Bottled water is readily available and recommended at all times. Fresh salad vegetables are best avoided unless washed yourself. Hotel dining and the restaurants recommended by Destination Asia are considered suitable for foreign visitors. We do not recommend purchasing food from street stalls. That said, Vietnamese cuisine is a delight to the senses. Rice and noodles form the basis of most dishes, which also heavily rely on fish and chicken. Fresh vegetable are in abundant supply (in fact, vegetarians are very well catered for) and are most often served in a light stir-fry or in a broth, with the addition of chilli, lemongrass, coriander or a special fish sauce (served with almost all dishes and with a pungent aroma). Exotic fruit is both a common dessert and excellent breakfast accompaniment. Most dishes are designed to be shared in the middle of a table, and if you can’t manage the chopsticks, do not be afraid to ask for a more ‘user-friendly’ dining utensil.
Currency
The Vietnamese Dong is a non-convertible currency and at time of writing trades at 15,450 to $US 1. Most shops and restaurants also use USD freely. Credit cards are not widely accepted and travellers’ cheques can only be cashed at authorised foreign exchange outlets and banks, and do require presentation of a passport. Small denominations of USD cash is the most practical currency to carry. Torn, dirty or old notes are often not accepted.
People
The Vietnamese people are very receptive to foreigners and will welcome you warmly. There is little evidence of animosity, however a healthy curiosity does exist and you may find yourself frequently engaged in conversation unexpectedly or at the centre of attention!
Safety
Vietnam is a third world country and lavish displays of wealth only encourage petty theft. Do not interact with ‘street children’ or beggars who are often organised thieves. Do not wear large amounts of jewellery, handbags or cameras carried carelessly over a shoulder as passing motorbikes may easily snatch them. Being aware of your surroundings and carrying little obvious wealth is the best defence against theft. Do not take cyclos or walk deserted streets after dark - use the very efficient and inexpensive taxi services. Having said that, your personal safety is at low risk in Vietnam as violent incidents against foreigners are extremely rare.
Film
Camera film is widely available however always check the use-by date. Some older x-ray machines are in use at domestic airports, and if you are worried it is best to hand carry film.
Mobile Phones
The Vietnamese network is compatible with most overseas networks.
Tipping
Tipping for service is not expected in Vietnam but is most certainly appreciated. A tip of one or two dollars for a meal or $1 to a cyclo driver can be a substantial bonus in a country where the annual average income is only $US300! You should tip at your own discretion however we recommend you allow $5 per day for your driver and guide.
