Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful destinations, offering an incredible mix of culture and history, a wonderful food scene, and some of the finest natural attractions. From the stunning views of Sam Mountain to the bustling streets of Hanoi, there are plenty of fun and memorable experiences to explore in Vietnam. If vacationers may not have too much to worry about for a trip to this Asian country, it is still crucial to know certain things before landing in one of its emblematic cities. To help visitors make the most of their getaways, here are the tips to know before visiting Vietnam in 2023.
ten Take out travel insurance
Boats floating on the water in Ha Long Bay
Although Vietnam is considered one of the safest destinations in Southeast Asia, it is still essential to purchase travel insurance before going on vacation in the country. Travel insurance gives tourists peace of mind by protecting them against things that could prevent them from having a smooth travel experience, including injuries from accidents, hospitalization, flight cancellations and loss of travel. valuables, among other things. You can buy in your country of origin or take out insurance online wherever you are.
9 Depending on your desires and your budget, choose the right time to travel to Vietnam
Tourists standing along the Golden Bridge on Ba Na Hills in Da Nang, Vietnam
Although Vietnam is a beautiful destination all year round, choosing the right season to explore the country is essential. The Asian nation enjoys a tropical monsoon climate and high humidity. The weather also varies greatly from place to place, depending on the time of year. Tourists who plan to see it all, including Vietnam’s top must-see tourist attractions, should definitely plan to visit in spring or autumn. Budget travelers can target the cheapest months of the year, which are October and November.
-
Best times to see everything in Vietnam
: Spring and Autumn -
The cheapest time to visit:
Fall (October and November)
8 You will need a valid passport to enter Vietnam
A skyline view in Saigon, Vietnam
Tourists must have documents to enter Vietnam, a visa and a passport. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay. Fortunately, vacationers can apply for e-visas, which provide cover for short getaways in Vietnam. E-visas are valid for up to 30 days and tourists can apply for them personally or through inviting agencies. The country’s immigration department specifies a way to process payment through an electronic payment gateway. Find more information here.
7 Know your way in and out of places in Vietnam
A night view of Ho Cho Minh City in Vietnam
Vietnam is home to many beautiful places to visit and some of the most iconic sites to explore. For this reason, travelers need to know exactly how to get to a destination and how to get out of it. There are three main airports to fly to; Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Cho Minh City, Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Da Nang International Airport. No matter where you arrive from, it is easy to access the various city centers from the airports. There are taxis and bus services to be used to reach various destinations from the airports.
6 Avoid getting ripped off by taxi drivers: use Grab Taxi
People along a street in Ho Cho Minh City in Vietnam
Vietnamese cities are very walkable, but there are plenty of options for getting around. suppose we are tired of walking. While traveling by scooter in Vietnam, considered the ultimate Southeast Asia, there are plenty of other affordable options including buses and taxis. However, tourists should be very careful to avoid being overcharged by taxi drivers. To avoid getting ripped off by taxi drivers, travelers should download the Grab Taxi app and book a ride online.
5 Avoid paying roaming charges by buying a local SIM card
An aerial view of Ho Cho Minh City in Vietnam
No matter how many days one plans to visit Vietnam, buying a local SIM card or getting a local pocket WiFi is one of the tips to know before visiting Vietnam in 2023. Many hotels and restaurants offer fast and free Wi-Fi. to their guests. These internet connections always come with access to apps such as Grab Taxi, Google Maps and Google Translate, which are some of the most vital services vacationers may need while traveling in Vietnam.
4 Determine and have the exact change to avoid being overcharged by locals
Tourists paddling on a river in Triang An, Vietnam
One of the tips to know before visiting Vietnam in 2023 is to determine and have the change to use in various places in Vietnam. You can decide to have cash or withdraw from an ATM when you arrive at the airport. Another option is to bring cash in a different currency and have it exchanged at the airport. Vacationers will definitely find it difficult to exchange goods and services for Vietnamese dong as the bills are quite large. For example, 10,000 Vietnamese Dong is equivalent to 0.43 US dollars. This can make it difficult to exchange dollars for local currency. The trick is to know the exact amount one may need to avoid paying more for less.
3 Have plenty of cash if you plan to explore Vietnamese rural areas
An aerial view of Sa Pa in Vietnam
Tourists should make sure they have plenty of cash if they plan to visit Vietnam’s beautiful villages, which are located in rural areas and are among the off-the-beaten-track tourist attractions in Vietnam. Indeed, travelers can hardly find ATMs. So, if one is in some of the most scenic towns in Vietnam, like Sa Pa, for example, it is essential to withdraw money from them because it will be impossible to do so in the more remote areas. Touring the Vietnamese islands? It’s a good thing that many islands are undeveloped, but some are still undeveloped. It is important to know where you are going and to be prepared accordingly.
2 Pre-book accommodation and tickets to access Vietnamese attractions
Boats floating on the water on Cat Ba Island at sunset
It is essential to book accommodation and tickets for museums and other attractions in advance. This can earn tourists great seasonal discounts. Booking late can be very expensive, especially when traveling to Vietnam during peak season. Visitors can always ask their agents to take care of their tickets and accommodation plans. Vacationers can avoid paying for services from local tour operators by downloading a taxi app, which can help a lot in finding transportation services during their stay in Vietnam.
1 Learn some Vietnamese language
A boat floating on the water in Ha Long Bay
Vietnamese is the official language used in Vietnam, but holidaymakers will find that English is spoken in tourist areas of the country. Thus, it will not be difficult to communicate when exploring large cities. But it is still essential to learn some Vietnamese words and their meanings. This will allow them to interact with the locals and have a wonderful time exploring the local markets. Here are some words to learn:
-
Xin Chao
: Good morning
-
cam on
: THANKS
-
I am on
: Please
-
Cay nay gia bao nhieu
: How much does it cost?
-
Tam biet
: Bye
-
Da
: Yes
-
Khong
: No