Vietnam - Things To Know Before Your Trip!
Overall Vietnam can be divided into three main regions – North, Central and South – and as a rule of thumb I would say you’ll need a week for each at the very least.
The weather varies a lot. Vietnam is in general humid and hot. However, with such an elongated country, it’s only natural the weather changes significantly inside Vietnam. There are three different weather regions. In northern Vietnam expect hot wet summers and cool dry winters. It can get quite cold here during northern hemisphere winter – from September to November – particularly next to the border with China. Central Vietnam experiences hot, dry weather between January and August when temperatures can hit the mid-thirties. Southern Vietnam boasts a full tropical climate, with only two defined seasons – wet and dry. The best time to go is obviously during the latter, from December to April.
Get ready to haggle. Prices of things are very cheap but expect to pay whatever you can haggle for it. There are no fixed prices. It’s advisable to hide all items that make you look richer – watches, jewellery, big bank notes – to make your offer more convincing.
Hanoi is the artistic, traditional and creative side of Vietnam. Museums, pagodas and temples pledge a solid set of touristy activities, but Hanoi is so much more than that. Despite being a huge city just like Ho Chi Minh City, it has somewhat of a village vibe. The fascinating maze of streets of the Old Quarter is the ideal place to get lost and shop for local handicrafts, great food or just do a fair bit of people-watching.
Everyone’s a millionaire. Well, not quite. I’m sure there are many confused souls out there right now trying to work out the ridiculously high conversion of the dong. At the time of writing this article, 1 EUR = 26,200 dong and 1 USD = 22,700 dong. The good news is that there have been no coins in Vietnam since 2011.
Vietnam is not by any means a conservative country when it comes to clothing. If you want to wear shorts, a shirt and flip-flops, that’s absolutely fine. When visiting temples and other religious sites, it’s advisable to cover-up as a sign of respect and restrictions may be applied regarding shorts and vest tops. If you’re visiting the north during winter, don’t forget to bring some warmer clothing!
It’s a paradise for foodies. Dishes you need to try in Vietnam include Pho, the national Vietnamese dish. A hearty noodle and meat soup with fresh herbs eaten primarily at breakfast. Bun cha is grilled pork and noodles. G’i cu’n are fresh spring rolls filled with noodles, meat/prawns/crab and greens. Cha ca is one of Hanoi’s best, it features white fish sautéed in butter with dill and spring onions. Nem Ran/Cha Gio is prepared for special occasions, this fried spring roll involves different combinations of lean minced pork, sea crabs or unshelled shrimps, edible mushrooms and dried onions.
You can find all kinds of tours to some of the most popular places in Vietnam such as an overnight stay in the Mekong Delta, a cooking class in Hanoi, a convenient Cu Chi Tunnels tour or a romantic cruise in Halong Bay. Do not book tours through your hotel/hostel as they inflate prices tremendously. Book through a reputable agent, like myself.
Ho Chi Minh City is the place to be and be seen. There’s a bit of everything here, from authentic street food stalls to high-end luxury dining. Cafés where you can work a bit while grabbing a coffee are the best ever. And not to mention the rooftop bars. Other places in Vietnam also have them, but Ho Chi Minh City has a whole hub of them. The OMG Rooftop has drinks at decent prices and an awesome view over the Ben Thanh Market in the heart of District 1.
Wi-fi is great. If you want to stay connected at all times you will need a local SIM card.
Ninh Binh is underrated. Locals nickname this rural region the “Halong Bay inland” due to the massive limestone cliffs scattered in between the rice fields, ancient pagodas and endless caves. The scenery level is outstanding, the locals are extremely friendly and the whole place still looks and feels like an authentic gem. Most people visit Ninh Binh on a day trip from Hanoi, but you can also stay overnight.
Avoid tap water, ice and salads and only brush your teeth with bottled water. If you do this and wash your hands regularly, you’re on track to avoid 90% of all food poisonings and tummy pains there.
There are many ways of getting around efficiently in Vietnam. Here’s a quick overview - private transfers, trains - some of the routes – like between Hanoi and Sapa are beautiful and very popular with travellers. Internal flights cut travel times severely and are affordable.
Contrary to popular belief, Vietnam is in general a very safe country. There’s hardly any crime as locals are extremely tranquil, kind and non-violent people. Use basic common–sense precautions.
Some basic words of Vietnamese can go a long way. You’ll get a smile in return! - Hello – Xin chào (sin chow) - Thank you – C’m on (gauhm uhhn) - Excuse me/Sorry – Xin loi (seen loy - What’s your name – Ban ten gi (ban thane zee) - My name is… – Toi la… (thoy la…)
Go for the street food! Being afraid to try street food is missing out on a huge part of Vietnamese culture. Cooked on the spot and served on plastic bowls or dishes, it’s better enjoyed in one of the pocket-sized tables and chairs on the spot. Eating on the street is as authentic as it gets in Vietnam and a fantastic way to travel on a budget. Full indulging meals can be found for $1. Yes, I said $1.
Please contact me to book your authentic experience in Vietnam on 01773 318470 or at julia.broadhurst@travelcounsellors.com