The Dos and Don’ts of Traveling Vietnam, from a Foreigner Who Lives Here
Although travel in Vietnam is easy, it has a learning curve. If you’ve never explored SEA before, you might initially feel a little lost and confused as you navigate the country. Even after living here for four years, I’m still learning new things about the culture every day. Looking back at my first year in Vietnam, I cringe at some of my silly mistakes.
I’m here to help you avoid making the same errors. Here are some of my biggest dos and don’ts to make your travel through Vietnam a little bit easier.
Don’t miss out on motorbiking
It took me almost four years in Vietnam before I got the courage to get on a motorbike. The chaotic streets of Saigon completely intimidated me, and I was sure that it was a skill that I’d never be able to master. However, when I was finally brave enough to rent my own motorbike and learn the ways of the road, I relished my newfound freedom and bemoaned the years I lost due to fear.
As a tourist, there’s no reason to drive in Hanoi or Saigon. The traffic in Vietnam’s two biggest cities is hectic, and it’s cheap and easy enough to get around using taxi-hailing apps, so the stress of driving yourself is unnecessary. Outside of the cities, there’s no better way to explore than on a motorbike. You can usually rent one through your hotel or hostel, and even if you’re brand new to driving, you can find a low-traffic area to get accustomed to the ride. If you can ride a bicycle, you can ride a motorbike, and you’ll be able to explore all sorts of places that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Do wear a helmet
Even though you must legally wear a helmet in Vietnam, you’ll see a lot of people, both local and foreign, going helmet-less (especially outside of the cities). This does not mean that it’s okay for you to go without a helmet. Remember, just because you’re on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure doesn’t mean that you’re invincible. I can’t tell you how many fatalities I’ve seen and heard about that would have only been a fender bender had the rider been wearing a helmet.
It might be tempting to feel the wind in your hair when you see half the locals foregoing the helmet, but remember, you’re new to Vietnam traffic (even if you’re not new to a motorbike). Don’t put yourself in undue danger, and put on your damn helmet.
Don’t forget to check the weather
In the wintertime, my TikTok is filled with freezing backpackers who’ve traveled to northern Vietnam with a backpack full of tank tops and bikinis just to realize that winter in the north is cold. Yes, Vietnam is part of Southeast Asia, but it’s also a long, skinny country. This means that although southern Vietnam is warm all year round, the north can get quite chilly. In fact, Fanispan, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia, occasionally sees snow.
Before you pack your bags, check the weather, and be sure to include a few sweaters if you’re visiting the north in the winter months.
Do bring rain clothes
Although rainy season in Vietnam is around May — November, the weather in Southeast Asia is notoriously fickle. Furthermore, due to the length of the country, there are many different climates. Chances are, no matter what time you come, there’ll be some rain somewhere.
A poncho is the best rain gear for Vietnam. Because it’s flowy, you won’t sweat like you would in a waterproof rain jacket, and it can keep you fully covered, even on the back of a motorbike.
Don’t skip the south
Even though the south attracts its fair share of tourists, most Vietnam itineraries stay in the north. I get it; the north is full of quintessential Vietnam photo ops with dramatic mountains, rice fields, and expansive greenery. But the south has its own unique culture and offerings that you’d be remiss to omit from your travels.
Too often, travelers say that the south isn’t worth it. In my humble opinion, they’re full of it. While the north has its mountains, the south has gorgeous beaches, amazing food, and fascinating history. Remember, the north and south have two distinct cultures. If you only explore the north, you’re missing out on a huge part of Vietnam.
Do get out of the tourist areas
Living in Saigon, it always saddens me when I see people say that it’s nothing special — just another modern city. This couldn’t be further from the truth, but if you stay in District 1, I can understand why you might think this. But judging Saigon on D1 is akin to judging NYC by Times Square or London by Picadilly Circus. It’s not a reflection of the city.
In Saigon — and everywhere, really — don’t be afraid to explore beyond the backpacker blogs. Get lost in different alleyways and discover dozens of small shops and restaurants. Head to Chinatown in District 5. Find the areas where the locals go to discover the true essence of this amazing city.
Don’t bring a stockpile of sunscreen and tampons
A common packing recommendation for SEA is to bring enough sunscreen and tampons to last the duration of the trip. This advice is fine if you’re only visiting for a couple of weeks. However, if you’re coming for a couple of months, stockpiling these items will unnecessarily fill your bag.
While it is true that sanitary pads are more common than tampons and that sunscreen is more expensive than back home, tampons and sunscreen are available. In almost every pharmacy, you’ll find several sunscreen options, including those without whitening. Tampons can be a little more difficult to find, but they’re commonly stocked in 7-Eleven and some other convenience stores.
Do buy supplies in the cities
Even though you don’t have to stockpile at home, you should consider buying supplies like tampons in the cities. When you go to smaller towns and villages, they might not have the selection that you’re looking for. Prepare a shopping list for when you’re in more populated areas, like Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang, and Nha Trang.
Don’t assume that everyone is trying to scam you
As a foreigner living in Vietnam, I am weary of witnessing other foreigners harass locals over 10,000 VND (less than US$0.50). Vietnam has gained an unfair reputation for scamming travelers, and many visitors assume that every interaction they have is a scam.
Do you need to be wary of scams in touristy areas? Absolutely. However, it’s the same in every country. Opportunistic locals will always try to fool a naive tourist. This doesn’t mean that everyone is trying to scam you or that scamming is particularly prevalent. It’s important to be aware of scams, but not to the point that you’re paranoid about every purchase.
When you first arrive in Vietnam, head to a convenience store like 7-Eleven, Circle-K, or Winmart to gauge prices. To acquaint yourself with the price of clothing items, hop into a mall and check the average price of a t-shirt. This will help you understand whether you’re being vastly overcharged.
Paying for parking is normal. If you’ve parked somewhere with a parking attendant, it’s not uncommon to have to pay 4k — 5k VND. Sometimes, it can be as much as 10k.
You can expect to pay more than a local in markets and other such areas. This is sometimes referred to as the “foreigner tax.” As long as the price isn’t exorbitantly high, don’t get upset over a price difference of one or two USD.
Do negotiate if the price seems too high
There’s a balance between assuming that you’re always being scammed and allowing yourself to be scammed. In touristy areas, like Ben Thanh Market in Saigon, vendors will try to get as much out of you as they can. If the price seems ridiculous, don’t be afraid to negotiate them down.
Remember, sellers aren’t going to provide a price that doesn’t result in profit, and they’ll always start high. I’ve seen vendors lower their price from 1mil VND (~US$40) to 600k VND (~US$24) in a matter of seconds. At the end of the day, the seller will always come out on top, so the key is to pre-determine the cost that you’re comfortable with. If you feel that the price they offer is too high, walk away. They’ll either come back with a lower number, or you’ll know that your pre-determined price range is too low.
Don’t expect things to be on time
It’s rare that anything here happens bang on time. Whenever you plan anything, give plenty of buffer for schedule changes.
Waiting for a bus or van can be especially stressful. It’s not uncommon to wait at your pickup point for up to 45 minutes after the scheduled departure time. Don’t stress; they almost always arrive. It’s just in their own time.
Things can really slow in the afternoon. There’s somewhat of an unofficial siesta where everything semi-shuts down. Around noon, you’ll see hammocks strung between trees, Grab drivers napping on their bikes, and office lights dimmed as workers catch a little cat nap. Just be aware, and plan for a little extra time if you need to get things done.
Do go with the flow
If you tend to get frustrated by the small things, you won’t have a good time here. You have to be able to go with the flow and laugh things off. Timetables change, queuing is almost nonexistent, and the noise and traffic in the cities can easily overwhelm you.
Just breathe and let the little things go. It will make your vacation 100x better.
Don’t make yourself a target for pickpocketers
Petty thievery is common in any major city with tourism. Most tourists in Vietnam stick out like a sore thumb, making them even greater targets for such crimes. Since motorbike travel is ubiquitous, people can snatch your phone out of your hand and disappear in moments.
This doesn’t mean you have to constantly be on the lookout; you just need to take proper precautions. When you have your phone out, be aware of your surroundings and step away from the curb. When I have my phone out, I use my pointer finger to secure the top of the phone and face my back to the street. Thieves look for easy targets, so small safeguards like this do the trick.
Keep expensive jewelry at home, especially necklaces. Although it’s not rampant, I have heard a few stories from friends who have had necklaces snatched off their necks while on the back of a motorbike.
Keep an eye on your purses and backpacks. While you don’t have to wear your backpack on your front to keep your belongings safe (nothing screams “naive tourist” more than a traveler clutching their backpack like it’s a newborn), you should ensure that it can’t easily be snatched. Wear crossbody bags with strong straps and zippers. Keep your bags close when enjoying street food. Make sure that your belongings are secure when on the back of a motorbike.
The key to avoiding petty thievery is to make yourself a difficult target. Exhibit confidence, keep your belongings close, and remain aware of your surroundings.
Do feel safe
Although the cities in Vietnam experience petty thievery, the country as a whole is incredibly safe. Vietnamese people are generally kind and helpful, and you may discover (like I did) that you feel safer here than in many Western countries.
Even the petty thievery isn’t as bad as it’s alleged — I experienced more pickpocketing living in Prague for one year than I have in my four years in Saigon. But it does happen, so it is something to be aware of.
Don’t take photos of people without their permission
Vietnam is visually stunning. You’ll fall in love with the deep green jungles, bright blue oceans, and colorful markets. It’s any photographer’s dream.
That being said, you must take photos responsibly. Even though capturing a shot of a local carrying baskets of fruit on her shoulders amidst the busy city streets is a quintessential moment, you have to remember that these are real people going about their daily lives. While a candid photo of a wider city scene is fine, getting in someone’s face is wildly inappropriate.
Often, people are more than happy to have their photo taken as long as you ask. Social media and Instagram culture are very strong here in Vietnam, so they may even have some composition suggestions and multiple poses ready. However, don’t be surprised if they ask for a tip afterward, which is more than fair.
As for children, I personally feel that tourists should not take photos, especially if they’re going to post them online. They cannot completely consent to the situation, and even if their parents say it’s okay, it doesn’t sit right with me. However, it’s generally accepted that if the parent gives the okay, then you’re fine.
Do expect to have some photos of you taken
Although it existed before then, foreign tourism wasn’t common in Vietnam until the early aughts. Because of this, foreigners can still be somewhat of a novelty to some people, especially if they’re from rural areas. Expect some stares and photo-taking.
Luckily, most people are respectful and will ask before they take your photo. Just be aware that you may be there for a while as they try multiple poses to get the photo just right. Don’t be afraid to politely decline if they’re taking up too much of your time.
Don’t take offense to offhand comments
One of the biggest complaints from Westerners about Vietnam is rude comments. However, this merely comes from cultural misunderstanding.
In Vietnam, you show that you care about someone by commenting on their appearance. It’s very common for people to make blunt observations about the way you look, like your weight, skin tone, or if you seem tired. Even though these types of comments are considered rude in many cultures, they have the opposite intent in Vietnam. So, if someone calls you chubby, too skinny, or tired, know that it’s not meant maliciously, and shrug it off.
Do enjoy your time here
Vietnam has so much to offer, even if there’s a bit of an initial learning curve. It can all feel chaotic and new in the beginning, but once you’ve embraced the culture shock, you’ll discover beautiful nature, delicious food, and kind people. Vietnam has a way of grabbing onto your heart and never letting go.
