10 Things You Need to Know About Vietnam
This is our personal and experienced list of things that travelers and
tourists need to know before the visit Vietnam
#10 Passport Control - Vietnamese regulations require hotels, homestays or AirBNB's, to ask for a photocopy or picture of your passport when you check into a new stay. This is completely normal and something you will need to get used to. Your Passport is also required to exchange money at the bank, rent a car, get a phone plan, etc.. You should NEVER give your passport to anyone for any reason. If you misplace or lose your passport, you can contact the US Embassy HERE.
#9 Visa Information - A visa IS needed for most western visitors. You will need at least 6 months before your passport expiration date to get a visa and at least a couple of empty pages for them to apply the visa. You need to apply for a visa which can take a few days to a week or so. Upon approval, you will receive a certificate that you can present to the customs officials when you land in Vietnam. They will then create a visa on the spot to affix into your passport., The whole process takes 15-45 minutes at the airport, THEN you can get into line to clear customs. You apply directly through the Vietnam government website HERE.
Single entry Visa means you can only enter Vietnam once. For example: If you plan on taking a trip outside of the country such as flying form Vietnam to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wot, then back to Vietnam before you fly back home, you will want to get a 'multiple entry' Visa.
Here is a list of countries by continent that need a Visa to enter Vietnam, as well as countries that are exempt.
#8 Inoculation Shots - When it comes to your health, we suggest you do your own research and get the shots you think you might need. Hepatitis A&B as well as Dengue Fever, Malaria, Typhoid, and Tuberculosis shots are discussed online amongst travelers. In my experience, mosquitos are barely noticeable in the large cities. If you plan on visiting smaller villages or the countryside, you have much more risk of catching a bug. This is a good website for inoculation information.
#7 The Water & Food - In general, Vietnamese food hygeine and standards are a far cry from western countries. That being said, the food is for the most part entirely safe to eat as it is prepared and served fresh a large majority of the time. Also, almost every street vendor is on google maps these days. A much bigger concern is the local water. DO NOT drink the water straight out of the tap, or brush your teeth with it. I would stick with bottled water for doing both. It's extremely cheap and easy to find in Vietnam. If you have a weak stomach, you can try to stick to fried and cooked foods. Fried rice and even French fries are usually pretty easy to find if you are really worried.
Snail Noodle Soup in Hanoi, Vietnam
#6 Traffic Police - If you rent a bike or car and drive out of the city, there is a small chance that you could get pulled over for a minor traffic violation as a foreigner, you may be asked to provide documentation and some money to pay for a fine on the spot. I highly suggest that you know how to ride before trying to ride in Vietnam. The traffic in Vietnam is NOT anything like it is where you are from. There is a cultural system that works well, but it takes time to learn how to safely navigate the roads here.
Vietnamese Traffic Police are Very Professional
Two things: Always wear a helmet and always signal. If you can manage to do both of those things, you should be able to avoid scrutiny from the police. Recently, police have been random stopping riders for alcohol as well. This is new, but they are taking it very seriously. Finaly... International drivers licenses are not recognized in Vietnam, but they are better than nothing. If you do get asked to pay for a ticket on the spot, you can haggle your way out of almost any minor traffic violation.
#5 Travel Insurance & Healthcare - During covid, the government made it mandatory that visitors and tourists purchase travel insurance to cover the costs of a possible hospital visit. I believe it was $10,000 minimum coverage. Normally, travel insurance is not required, or even needed. There are 'western hospitals' in Vietnam that have great doctors and provide great healthcare for a fraction of the cost of American hospitals. If you would feel more comfortable getting insurance, Allianz & Safety Wing are two good options. You must purchase your insurance BEFORE you leave home. And they are both offer plans specific to the duration of your visits. One las tthing... Make sure you just ask for a quote for HEALTH insurance. Otherwise, they will try to quote you for a more comprehensive plan that covers flight cancellations, lost luggage, etc...
#4 Getting Around - Traveling inside Vietnam is very easy and inexpensive. Flying inside the country is less than $100 between the major cities, so I would recommend flying for any travel that is longer than a few hours by bus, car or train. Private car is your best option after flying. A 5-6 hour private SUV can be as little as $100 USD one-way. If you prefer the train, you can purchase a bed on a sleeping cabin with 4 beds. I've done numerous trips on trains across the country and have decided that the bottom bunk is the best option. I do everything I can to avoid busses as it is the most dangerous form of transportation in Vietnam.
Flights are VERY inexpensive in Vietnam
#3 Comfort Check - Most westerners put comfort near the top of their list of things that are important when visiting a new country or continent. There are some things about Vietnam that are 'different', than in the west. This is our short list of tips to avoid being uncomfortable when you travel the country.
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Check bed & pillow comfort at hotels / homestays
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Book rooms at least 3 floors above ground level (noise)
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Fly if you can / Private Car if you can't (private is cheap)
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Buy Wet Wipes as soon as you can
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Request bamboo 'take-out' chopsticks at local restaurants
Don't be fooled by this luxurious looking bed
#2 Safety - Vietnam is extremely safe. In Western countries, poor areas are associated with crime. Vietnam may be poor, but it is much more safe than the USA. There aren't any dangerous neighborhoods in any Vietnamese city. So you don't have to worry where your hotel is located before you book. It has been suggested that Phone or purse theft is a problem in Saigon, but even that seems to be a smaller issue since street cameras have been installed. Most hotel rooms have a safe in the room where you can keep your passports, computers and valuables.
#1 Scams - The most common scams in Vietnam involve paying 'tourist pricing' to unscrupulous vendors. This is largely due to the lack of clear pricing labels on just about everything, nationwide. Vietnam is a haggle culture and you are at the mercy of the vendor. You can easily avoid these scams by just not interacting with them. If you do, I would suggest declining any item that sounds overly expensive to you. In general, the Vietnamese vendors and citizens are very honest and appreciative of your support. Be kind, smile and enjoy the experience.. There's no place like it!