Leave your Western impatience at home, slip on your sandals, and prepare for the greatest adventure. Forget the classic guidebooks; what follows is the advice only a resident will give you.
Before you go: The essential basics
E-Visa and Formalities
The
E-Visa is now the standard for most travelers. Apply online (only on the
official Vietnamese website) and remember to print a copy. But even with the E-Visa, the administration is meticulous upon arrival. Prepare for exasperating slowness.
Important Reminder: Your passport must be valid for
6 months after your scheduled departure date.
Applying for a Vietnam visa and familiarizing yourself with the Dongs, the local currency Travel insurance (It's non-negotiable)
Scooter accidents are frequent. Your insurance must absolutely cover emergency medical expenses, repatriation, AND scooter/motorcycle riding (with the appropriate international license) if you plan to rent one. This is an absolutely crucial point that you must not neglect.
Health & first aid kit
Even though the
street food is divine, an adjustment will probably be necessary for your Western stomach. Remember to bring Smecta and Imodium.
Regarding mosquito repellent, local products are often more effective than those from Europe, and you can buy them locally (Look for, or ask for: Nha Thuoc Long Chau or Pharmacity, for Western standards).
Is your stomach ready for culinary explorations? Mr Linh's AdventuresOnce you're there: The exploration ground
Weather and seasons: The surprise of three climates
Forget a single season: Vietnam stretches across
three regions (North, Center, South), each with its own climate specifics. If you visit the entire country, pack clothes for
three seasons. And remember that a good poncho will be more useful than a fancy umbrella.
Currency & communication: A millionaire forewarned is worth two
You'll quickly become a millionaire ($500,000 VND = ~20 USD). Be careful of the bill trap: the 500k VND and the 20k VND are both in blue tones. This confusion is the number one mistake of the hurried tourist when getting change.
Guess where I’m calling you? Mr Linh's AdventuresSIM card and ride-hailing apps
Grab and Xanh SM (ride-hailing vehicles) are very practical for getting around. While you can try to activate these apps with your foreign phone number (if you receive the activation SMS), it often works poorly. Therefore, getting a local SIM card (or an e-SIM) is almost essential. Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere.
Transportation: The art of movement
Grab and Xanh: As mentioned above, for taxis and motor-taxis (GrabBike), use the app. The price is fixed with zero negotiation.
Eco-mobility (For late remorse): If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, forget domestic flights and favor the train or the sleeping bus. It's often longer, but it's part of the journey.
Journey duration: Never rely on the number of kilometers, but on the travel time. 300 km can take 10 hours. Allow for a margin.
The scooter: The horn is not a sign of annoyance; it's a warning: "I'm here, don't move". Circulate slowly and single file.
Slow Travel : Take your time to discover Vietnam | Mr Linh's AdventuresExpert advice: What you need to know to keep your cool
Adopting the local rhythm
Vietnam wakes up very early. Take advantage of it: markets and Phở stalls open as early as 6 AM. Small family stalls close very late. However, for any official procedures, Western impatience is useless and frowned upon: everything will take longer than you imagine (administration, service, paperwork).
Sensory and cultural shock
Welcome the sensory shock. What seems disorderly or uncivil to you (constant horns, omnipresent noise, eating loudly) is actually the local social functioning. Don't try to understand or complain.
Travel to Vietnam : Meeting another culture | Mr Linh's AdventuresSaving face (And smiling)
Getting angry means losing face, both for you and for the person you're speaking with. Always remain smiling and courteous, even in case of a problem. This is the only key to unblocking everything and moving things forward.
Respecting customs
Adopting a posture of respect is essential ; for example, never touch someone's head, as it is considered the most sacred part of the body. Or, always cover your shoulders and knees when visiting pagodas and temples. When in doubt, Mr. Observation and Ms. Courtesy will be your best guides.
Give yourself time to experience Vietnam at the local pace | Mr Linh's AdventuresThe praise of slowness
Your biggest challenge in Vietnam will be to slow down. Don't try to see everything at once; Vietnam is a marathon, not a sprint. It's better to focus on a few regions and take the time to experience Vietnam, rather than just doing Vietnam. It's at the end of the back roads that you'll find the real Land of the Dragon, far from the neighborhoods plagued by overtourism. Less is more.
You now have the keys: you'll become a millionaire, you'll hear people shouting a bit, and you'll sit on tiny plastic stools.
The adventure begins when you stop resisting. Cảm ơn (Thank you), and never forget to smile: it's the most universal passport in Vietnam.