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When traveling abroad, it is always good to have a bit of an idea about what's good to do and what travelers don’t want to be doing. This isn’t always an easy thing to find the answer to, as everywhere is different.
It may not be obvious how to get around a country like Vietnam when you don’t speak the language or no what to expect. That being said, here is a look at some Dos and Don’ts for traveling to Vietnam, so travelers can worry a little less about their journey.
Do Use Grab And Go-Viet, But Don’t Forget About Travel Length
Grab and Go-Viet riders and drivers can be seen everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City as well as in Hanoi, and even in the countryside, they can be spotted. Travelers visiting Vietnam are recommended to download both apps to ensure better access to rides while spending time in Vietnam. They both offer multiple styles of rides though most commonly, travelers will be choosing between a car or scooter ride. The rides on scooters a significantly cheaper than those from cars but expose riders to more potential issues while riding through the streets or simple butt soreness if they have to spend too long on the back of the scooter. That, combined with the one size fits all helmet issue, should give travelers a pause when deciding between a care scooter ride.
Do Enjoy Vietnams Incredible Food, But Don’t Drink Tap Water
Vietnam is full of incredible food and dining locations. There is so much for foodies visiting Vietnam that it is no wonder it has become such a destination for gastro tourism. Western Travelers to Vietnam may be caught off guard by the price of serving size to cost ratio and should probably be cautious while ordering until they’ve figured this out. Travelers should also make sure that they only drink bottled water, or water that they otherwise know to be clean, or their trip to Vietnam could take an unfortunate turn. Regardless, here are three places travelers should absolutely check out.
Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
Yet another shop that has been featured on travel shows, Banh Mi Huynh Hoa is particularly well known for how thoroughly they pack their sandwiches. They may be a little more pricey than some other shops, but you get a well-stuffed sandwich.
- Address - 26 Lê Thị Riêng, P, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
- Cost - 35,000 VND (1.53 USD)
Hum Vegetarian, Lounge & Restaurant
Located near the riverfront, Hum Vegetarian, Lounge & Restaurant is full of greenery, beautiful wooden furniture, and small ponds. The menu is made up of vegetarian Vietnamese food that is healthy and reasonably priced.
- Address - 2 Thi Sách, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 70000, Vietnam
- Cost - $$
Pho Mien Ga Ky Dong
This restaurant is almost guaranteed to be packed. It has been featured on travel shows and by bloggers making it one of the most famous places in the city. It lives up to the hype, though, with some of the best Pho in Ho Chi Menh City.
- Address - 14/5Bis Kỳ Đồng, Phường 9, Quận 3, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
- Cost - 57,000 VND (2.50 USD)
Do Spend Time Outside The Major Cities, And Don’t Forget About Vietnam’s Nature
There are numerous outdoor and natural locations in Vietnam that travelers must check out. With such a long coast and incredible geography, travelers should make sure to get out of the major cities to at least spend some time in the country's incredible natural habitats. Three places that travelers should keep in mind are Ha Long Bay, Phong Na, and the Mekong Delta.
Ha Long Bay
With multiple turquoise bays, aesthetic limestone, and thick jungle-fill islets, Ha Long Bay is a bucket-list location for many travelers. With so much to experience here, travelers should make sure to spend time at Ha Long Bay.
- Cat Ba Island - home to three clean beaches with a relaxed atmosphere
- Hospital Cave - Hospital Cave’s mysterious and bombproof nature can be traced back to 1963, when it was built as a safe house and hospital
- Bai Chay Market - famous for its rich culture of healthy food
- Floating Villages - The villages have maintained an antique style since their establishment in the 19th century by local fishermen.
Phong Na
Phong Na is a sought-after location for those fascinated with the world of underground rivers, waterways, and everything created by them. Travelers to Phong Na will have more than a few ways of passing the time while outside the city.
- Hiking - Spend the whole day exploring the paths and caverns of Phong Na.
- Camping - Enjoy spending the night in this stunning natural wonder.
- Cave Tours - Take a guided tour and learn about the caves.
- Boat Riding - There’s no better way to enjoy the waterways than from a boat.
Mekong Delta
Not too far out of Ho Chi Mehn City is the Mekong Delta. Here the third-longest river in Asia ends its meandering journey. The region is full of wonderful outdoor adventures, including boats, river markets, and temples to be explored.
- Boat Tours/Exploration - There are a variety of points along the Delta where travelers can rent boats or go on tours.
- Cycling - Travelers can rent bikes and cycle through the local communities that live along the delta.
- River Markets - In multiple cities along the delta, travelers will be able to discover river markets.
- Food! - The food that can be found along the delta is incredible.