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After travelling to Vietnam for the first time and visiting for two months there were a few things that surprised me and a few things I wish I knew before going. In this post I’ll go through some of my Vietnam travel tips, notes, and observances that might be useful to you if you’re about to visit. As well as give you a basic summary of what to expect in Vietnam in popular areas like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hoi An, and Da Nang.
This nice picture of a roundabout doesn’t even begin to cover the chaos found in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Side note: you’ll hear many locals saying Saigon). If there is one major tip to remember its to watch where you’re walking and driving. There are hundreds of motor bikes on the road swerving through traffic, cutting through sidewalks, and speeding past pedestrians with only an inch to spare. On top of that, the rules of the road aren’t always followed, so be cautious. Even so, it does seem to work and you just need to be confident. Trust me, you’ll be comfortable walking on the roads in no time. In fact, you’ll be forced to more often than not.
Vietnam’s recent turbulent history is on display in many museums. As a tourist, you will no doubt see and learn about its past whether you’re visiting attractions, taking tours, or even talking to locals. If you’re interested in knowing what happened and how it affected Vietnam then be sure to check out the major war museums. Including the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi. Both are of course focused on the war and they also provide a lot of information and artifacts.
I’m usually on a mid-range budget and I’ll always opt to find savings so I can spend more elsewhere. However, I do not recommend doing that in Vietnam. Be thorough with your research and listen to reviewers who bring up reasonable issues. Here are some of the issues that I encountered:
Ho Chi Minh City (2 hostels – private rooms): Bugs (not bed begs). Bringing food in the room was a bad idea even if I was tidy and sealed trash bags.
Hoi An (2 homestays): One of these places was great, the other had the same bug problem. Also, because they were homestays and the family lived in the building, the front gate was locked at night so guests sort of had a curfew. Not a problem if you don’t go out at night, but you’d have to bother them if you do.
Da Nang (2 homestays): Cold showers for two weeks straight – which I wouldn’t mind in the summer, and you might like cold showers, but I did not.
Hanoi (2 hotels): Noise and location issues. Both places were located on side streets, which wasn’t specified, and it was inconvenient for tour guides and taxis.
Lastly, 7 out of 8 stays had wet rooms so there was no enclosed shower in the washroom. Honestly, I didn’t have a problem with this but it’s good to know. Furthermore, you might not have these same issues but the point is to be vigilant when booking. Here are some hotel booking tips to get you started.
The French Colonial Period in Vietnam lasted from 1887 to 1954. During that time many buildings were replaced with the French colonial architecture you see above. It’s not hard to find the brightly yellow facades and even the eye-catching grey buildings in the country. Even though the buildings are used today for Vietnamese attractions, government, and other uses, it still makes you think about its French Indochina past. Some notable buildings include the Central Post Office (HCMC), Saigon City Hall (HCMC), Hanoi Opera House, National History Museum (Hanoi), St. Joseph’s Cathedral (Hanoi), and many mixed influenced houses in Hoi An.
Taking part in street food culture is one of the best ways to immerse yourself with the local Vietnamese culture. If you take a walk anywhere you’ll find street carts filled with prepped ingredients ready to be cooked and served. As well as tiny little chairs and tables packed with people enjoying their meal. Of course street food culture isn’t unique to Vietnam, but it is definitely something that’s hard to miss and fun to revel in.
You might find that the Vietnamese people are pretty relaxed in certain professional areas. Specifically when it comes to serving, opening hours, and street food stall locations. I discovered this frequently in Da Nang more than anywhere else though. Where what I was looking for wasn’t there, didn’t exist, or was closed when Google said it was open (so much for useful information right?) The best advice here is to be flexible with your schedule and have a plan b. Also, if you like to plan where you eat and check reviews too, I’d recommend broadening your search. I was surprised to find that high and low ratings on Google didn’t matter as much in Vietnam.
First of all, I don’t want to turn you off of the country but I witnessed a lot of things I wish I didn’t. Including nose-picking and openly coughing and sneezing without covering the mouth. In addition to having someone spit and throw trash right in front of me as I was walking by. Also, the day I watched someone openly cough up a lung and then see a poor man walk right through it, I became more vigilant about wearing a mask and keeping a distance. Of course it isn’t everyone in the country, but I was taken aback by the amount of people doing these exact things.
Yes tourists are targets everywhere but don’t be surprised if you’re asked to buy something a few times a day in Vietnam. In Ho Chi Minh City you’ll be asked if you need a ride on a motor bike and given a spiel that will lead to almost forced tours around the city. They’ll even show you written reviews from tourists about the time they spent with them (pictured above). In Hoi An you’ll probably get followed and chatted up by a woman who wants you to buy something from her clothing store to get tailor-made clothes in the market (be careful, they’re good at what they do!). And wherever you go, you’ll be asked to sit down, buy some food and look at souvenirs.
There are so many blogs and people who can’t stress enough about how friendly and welcoming Vietnamese people are. While I agree that there are friendly, welcoming people – I would not say more so than anywhere else. In fact, I find that sentiment to be a bit strange, I mean we’re talking about an entire country full of people! Don’t go to Vietnam (or anywhere) expecting everyone to welcome you with open arms and show you nothing but interest and gratitude. If you go with no expectations, you’ll find yourself happily surprised instead of possibly disappointed.
Self-service laundromats are quite rare in the country. However, you will see many places to get your laundry done and there is always a quick turn around (usually 6-8 hours). Just drop it off and pick it up when it’s ready! Many places even offer pick-up and drop-offs at your hotel for a low cost. Speaking of cost, you can expect to get your laundry done for about 30,000-50,000 Dong per kilo. Which means that you’re really only getting it done for a few dollars… worth it!
When you’re on the streets and feel the chaos, it’s hard to take it all in. I HIGHLY recommend giving yourself some down time to sit, people-watch, and understand life on the streets of Vietnam. Because in reality, Vietnam isn’t chaotic, it’s actually really easy-going, and a great place to relax. It just doesn’t feel like it if you don’t stop moving! That’s why it’s important not to rush and just enjoy the moment.
Now that you know what to expect in Vietnam, you can start planning your pho-filled trip around the country! Stay tuned for Arrival Plans city guides in Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Hoi An – all will be filled with good to know information for your travels. Thanks for reading!
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