Vietnam tips: a first-timer's guide

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There's a lot to love about travelling in Vietnam, which stretches from the soaring mountains and
fascinating ethnic groups of the north to the endless rice paddies and vibrant waterways of the Mekong
Delta in the south, with more than 3000km of glorious coastline in between.

Throw in a good transport infrastructure of buses, trains and flights and an abundance of cheap but
excellent street food and it's no surprise Vietnam graces countless bucket lists. But, like any country, it
has its challenges, and some visitors come home with tales of scams, hectic roads and pushy vendors.
Following these top tips will help you avoid the major pitfalls, and ensure you come away from your first
visit to Vietnam with happy memories, as well as your souvenir conical hat.

Be open
Vietnam's long exposure to foreigners means that many local residents aren’t as overtly curious about
visitors as some of their counterparts in Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. Also, because most Vietnamese
are not confident with spoken English despite learning it in school, people tend to ignore lost-looking
foreigners unless you actually ask for help. But be assured that the Vietnamese really are friendly people.
If you ask someone a question with a smile and in slow, clear English, you’ll almost certainly have it
answered and the smile returned. Simple phrases such as xin chào ('hello', pronounced 'seen chow') and
cám ơn ('thank you', pronounced 'kaam uhn') go a long way.

Get connected
While most hotels, cafes and restaurants have wi-fi, you can easily buy a SIM card and get connected to
the internet for as little as US$3. Vietnamese street names are notoriously long (most are named after
people), so digital maps trump paper ones for many travellers. You’ll also find having a local phone
number handy for meeting up with tour guides and making last-minute bookings on the road. SIM cards
are widely sold in corner shops and are easy to top up. Once you have a card, the process to register for
internet can be tricky, so ask the shopkeeper or your hotel to do it for you. Lonely Planet's Guides app
covers Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Know your dong from your dollar

The Vietnamese dong is the currency of Vietnam and comes in denominations ranging from 200 to
500,000 (about US$22 at the time of writing). While it’s thrilling to become a Vietnamese millionaire,
dealing with that many zeros can become frustrating, especially since some of the currency is very similar
in color. For example, the 10,000d note and the 200,000d note are both tan while the 20,000d and
500,000d notes are both blue. It’s very easy to hand over the wrong bill to a taxi driver while in a rush.
Spend a minute in your room before going out to sort your bills to avoid overpaying. Even if you do end up
overpaying a small amount for certain things, take it in stride. In the grand scheme of things, it’ll likely not
be worth the aggravation.

While international credit and debit cards are accepted at most larger hotels, restaurants and travel
agencies (sometimes with an added fee), cash is still king in Vietnam for day-to-day transactions. ATMs
are widely available, and currency can be exchanged at banks (and some gold shops, although this
practice is frowned upon by the government).

Be wary of taxi scams

For many, motorcycle taxis are the best way to see the thronging streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
However, scams can happen, and your best protection is a decent knowledge of where you are going and
points along the way. Always agree on a price beforehand and be prepared to be quoted a higher price
than the locals. For regular taxis, stick to the two major companies of ​Mai Linh​ and ​Vinasun​ (both have
apps). Smaller, independent taxis are known for fast meters and aggressive drivers. If you’re in one of the
larger cities, ride-sharing apps like Uber and Grab are good, offering both car and motorcycle taxis.
Sometimes the driver will call to confirm, so having a Vietnamese-speaking friend nearby will come in
handy.

Know your transport options

Overnight buses are a good way to cover long distances and save on accommodation costs. However,
the layback seats don’t offer much legroom, so tallish passengers (anyone over 1.6m) will find it
impossible to stretch out fully. While the top bunk offers slightly more privacy, they can be right at the
height of street lights. Sleep masks, ear plugs and noise-cancelling headphones (especially if the bus is
playing music or movies) are recommended.

That said, sometimes you can pay a few more dollars and fly – the more convenient ​but less sustainable
option​. Vietnam has several budget airlines, which offer cheap fares but are notorious for being late and
strictly enforcing carry-on limits. The national carrier, Vietnam Airlines, has better service and comparable
pricing if booked in advance.
More comfortable than buses and cheaper than flights, train travel is another option for getting around
Vietnam. A railway line spans the length of the country, following the coastline from HCMC all the way to
Hanoi and beyond. It's a must for rail enthusiasts, with the ride considered among ​the most amazing train
journeys in the world​.

Be safe on the roads

Traffic in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can seem terrifying at first glance. Just walking across the street
during rush hour can feel like an impossible task! But there is a method to the madness and, like a school
of fish, the traffic will inevitably glide around you as long as you keep moving at a slow and steady pace. If
unsure, do as the locals do and raise one hand high to be seen above the sea of helmets.

If you’re looking to drive a motorbike yourself, it’s best to save it for one of the quieter destinations like ​Hoi
An​, ​Dalat​ or ​Phu Quoc​. Always wear a helmet, and be aware of the exhaust pipe, which has caused
many a leg burn. As motorbikes tend to drive closely to each other, keep your feet pointed inwards and
think of wearing closed shoes which offer extra protection for your feet.