Before traveling to Vietnam, it’s important to know a few things about the country. A visa is required for travel, and the currency is the dong, so bring US dollars or euros, or use a card to withdraw cash. Vietnam is also a safe country to travel to, including for solo female travelers.

In this article, we list the key things to know before traveling to Vietnam.

Watch our Vietnam videos on YouTube and check out all our articles about Vietnam.

10 Essential Tips for Your First Trip to Vietnam

1. VISA AND PASSPORT

Brazilians and Portuguese citizens need a visa to travel to Vietnam. The visa can be obtained online via the official visa website, costs US$25, is valid for 90 days, and takes 3 to 15 business days to process. Upon arrival at the airport immigration, simply show your passport and printed visa.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months. The International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever is not required for Brazilians, but we recommend carrying it, as all other Southeast Asian countries require it.

If you book a package with a local agency, you can request an invitation letter. In this case, the agency handles everything for you. We recommend Mundo Ásia, with whom we did a Vietnam and Cambodia package in 2023.

Read also: [Vietnam Visa: How to Apply (2024)] | [Vietnam Itinerary: 15 Days from North to South]

2. CLIMATE IN VIETNAM

The best time to travel to Vietnam is in February, March, and April, as these months combine sunshine in all regions, given that the climate varies from north to south.

• NORTH: HANOI, HALONG BAY, SAPA: Sunny from November to April. It gets quite cold between December and February, with fog. Rainy season is from May to October, with July and August being the months of heavy rainfall, when tours may be canceled. There is a risk of typhoons.

• CENTRAL: HOI AN, DA NANG, NHA TRANG: Sunny from February to August. Rainy season is from September to January, with October and November being the months of heavy rain, historically the time when Hoi An has suffered the most from flooding. There is a risk of typhoons.

• SOUTH: HO CHI MINH, PHU QUOC: Sunny from November to April. Rainy season is from May to October. During the rainy season, the sea around Phu Quoc Island becomes rough, as do the waters of the Mekong Delta.

Read more: [Best Time to Travel to Vietnam]

3. CURRENCY AND MONEY

The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND). Therefore, bring only US dollars or euros for exchange. Brazilian reais are not accepted at exchange offices. The exchange rate at Hanoi airport is very good, especially at the first booth on your right after leaving arrivals.

Credit cards and global cards are accepted in larger establishments such as restaurants, convenience stores, and shopping malls. Always carry cash (dong) and a physical card, as contactless payments aren’t always accepted. There are many ATMs, especially in larger cities, but some charge a local withdrawal fee. We recommend Wise.

You can negotiate purchases in Vietnam and ask for discounts. Bargain until you reach an agreement on a price with the vendor. If you’re not satisfied with the offer, simply walk away.

Read also: [Wise Card: How Does It Work? Is It Reliable? Is It Worth It?]

4. TRANSPORTATION

Vietnam is well connected in terms of transportation. There are buses, trains, and flights connecting the country’s main cities. In the cities, there are taxis and the Grab app (similar to Uber), as well as motorbike options. We recommend using 12Go for tickets.

• TAXI/GRAB: Whenever possible, use Grab, the local app similar to Uber. With it, you know how much you’ll pay and the route that will be taken. Taxis require negotiation and are slightly cheaper than Grab. If you’re taking a Grab-Moto (motorbike taxi), you can trust it, as Vietnamese are very experienced with motorbikes.

• LIMOUSINE BUS: These are more comfortable vans with wider reclining seats that carry fewer passengers and offer hotel pick-up and drop-off. They are a good option for routes like Sapa to Hanoi.

• BUS: There are many short and long-distance buses in Vietnam. They are a great way to save money if you have time. Long-distance buses have beds, but if you’re taller than 1.70 meters, you won’t be able to fully stretch your legs.

• TRAIN: Trains are an interesting way to travel and enjoy the scenery, but they don’t cover all routes and are the slowest form of transportation. The most interesting route is from Hanoi to Sapa, passing through Train Street, where you can travel on a luxury train (which isn’t expensive), like the Chapa Express.

• PLANE: There are airports in the country’s main cities, and flight prices are often the same as trains or sometimes even buses. Vietnam’s main airlines are Vietnam Airlines, VietJetAir, Jetstar Pacific, Bamboo Airways, and Air Asia. Vietnam Airlines is the only non-low-cost carrier, but the fares include checked baggage of up to 20kg, making it a great cost-benefit option. For travel within Southeast Asia, consider Vietnam Airlines and Air Asia.

5. CULTURE AND ETIQUETTE

Vietnamese people are very kind, polite, smiley, and they speak loudly. Very loudly. Try using “hello” (xin chào, pronounced “sim-chow”) and “thank you” (cảm ơn, pronounced “kahm-uhn”).

When visiting temples and historical sites, men and women must cover their shoulders and knees. It’s advisable to always carry a scarf to cover your shoulders and neckline, and wear a midi or long skirt or dress. Men with longer shorts won’t have any issues. Also, temples are places of silence.

Tipping is always appreciated, though not required. Values between 20,000 and 50,000 dong are good, depending on the type of service you want to reward. Remember, the more attention and luxury, the higher the tip should be.

6. FOOD AND HYGIENE

Vietnamese cuisine is diverse, light, and influenced by French cuisine. The central region tends to have spicier and more seasoned food. Every dish has vegetarian options! In Southeast Asia, Vietnam is the country that consumes the most fresh salads and vegetables. Read: [Gastronomic Tour in Ho Chi Minh: Food Tour by Motorcycle] and watch the video on YouTube.

The main dishes to try in Vietnam are:

• Phở: A rice noodle soup with cooked meat. In the north, it’s very mild, while in the central and southern regions, it has a different name and includes a bit of spice.

• Bánh Mì: A Vietnamese baguette sandwich with either meat or pâté, or both. The classic versions come with pickled carrots, cucumbers, and daikon radish, fresh coriander, and Vietnamese mint, roasted pork, and pâté. But you can ask to remove any ingredients you don’t like.

• Bun Cha: A pork meatball marinated in fish sauce, served with rice noodles and fresh greens.

• Spring Rolls: Rice paper rolls filled with herbs, pork, rice noodles, cucumber, and mint.

As for hygiene concerns, always check if the place has locals eating and if they serve bottled water. Where there are locals, it’s usually safe!

Don’t fully trust the Michelin Guide. There have been several controversies, with many locals complaining that several famous and beloved places were left off the list, and some restaurants included do not represent local flavors or meet safety and hygiene standards, even ones that locals don’t frequent. Several articles in both Vietnamese and foreign newspapers have covered this issue.

7. SAFETY AND SOLO TRAVEL

Vietnam is generally a safe country to visit, but like anywhere, it’s important to take precautions. Keep your belongings in sight, use a crossbody bag worn in front of you, keep your bag securely closed, hold your phone in front of you, and avoid placing valuables in easily accessible pockets to prevent pickpockets.

In the past, there were many cases of motorbike riders snatching bags and phones. Be careful! However, in 2023, we found Vietnam to be much safer than in 2015.

Vietnam is safe for solo female travelers. The Vietnamese are polite and respectful, although curious, so don’t be surprised if someone asks to take a photo with you. It’s a very welcoming country for solo travelers, whether male or female, and you’ll only be alone if you choose to be, as there are always opportunities to share experiences with other travelers.

To avoid common scams, prefer to use app-based transportation in cities or intercity transport through 12Go, and book tours with local agencies via platforms like Get Your Guide (highly recommended!), where you can read reviews from other travelers, if you’re not booking a package through a local agency like Mundo Ásia (also recommended!).

Be cautious when crossing the street! Traffic is chaotic, and they don’t stop, but they move slowly. Pay attention to how the locals do it, cross slowly without stepping back, as motorbikes will swerve behind you, and always cross behind any car approaching. In Ho Chi Minh City, follow the traffic lights, but always watch out for motorbikes.

8. INTERNET AND SIM CARD

The main mobile phone providers in Vietnam are Viettel, MobiFone, and Vinaphone. Viettel is the most popular operator, and it’s the one we chose during our trip. All of them charge between 120,000 and 150,000 dong for 30 days, and the difference lies in how much data you get per day.

They all offer 1GB of data per day throughout the month. Until June 15, 2023, it was 4GB per day, but this changed due to government regulations, and now it’s only 1GB, regardless of the operator.

Wi-Fi is available in practically every location, just ask for the password if it’s not displayed. In general, the connection is fast.

9. MAIN CITIES

The main cities and places to visit in Vietnam are Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh, and the Mekong Delta, as they fit into a 7-day itinerary. I suggest a 15-day itinerary, so you can also visit Ninh Binh, Sapa, Hue, and Da Nang, and possibly Phu Quoc or Nha Trang. If you have time, spend your full 30 days exploring the country!

Read also: [Vietnam Itinerary: 15 Days from North to South]

10. TOURS IN VIETNAM

There are two safe ways to do tours in Vietnam: booking with a local agency for a complete itinerary in Portuguese, or choosing individual tours you’re interested in through tour platforms, also with local agencies.

• INDIVIDUAL TOURS IN ENGLISH THROUGH A PLATFORM: A tour booking platform allows you to read reviews from other travelers to ensure the company is reliable and the tour is genuinely good. We always use Get Your Guide and did tours (in English) with them during our free days at the end of our itinerary. We had a great experience!

• PRIVATE TOURS: You can do private tours, which are more expensive.

• GROUP TOURS: If you choose to do the pre-planned Mundo Ásia group itinerary or book individual tours through Get Your Guide, you will always be part of a group tour. The difference is that either the tour is with the same group in Portuguese or with different groups in English. Group tours are much cheaper than doing it on your own.

• DOING TOURS ON YOUR OWN: I don’t recommend doing tours on your own, as in Vietnam, tours tend to be cheaper in a group with a guide and transport than doing it independently.

These are the main things to know before traveling to Vietnam. For more tips and information, check out the other articles we’ve written about each of the cities and attractions in the country.

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