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• Passsport validity
• If you are visiting Vietnam, your passport should be valid for 6 months from the date you arrive.
• Visas
• If you want to stay in Vietnam, you should only do so legally and with the right visa and permission to stay.
• E-visas are issued for stays of up to 30 days, single entry only. Use of the e-visa is limited to certain entry/exit points which you must select at the time of application (Example: Ha Noi (should be Noi Bai Airport). You cannot make any amendments once your application is completed.

What You Should Do:

• Dress modestly, especially when visiting temples, pagodas, or rural villages. Covering shoulders and knees is a sign of respect.
• Use ride-hailing apps like Grab or Be, which offer transparent fares and help you avoid being overcharged by taxis. If you must take a traditional taxi, stick to reputable companies like Mai Linh or Vinasun, and insist the meter is turned on.
• Drink only bottled or filtered water. Tap water is not safe for consumption. Always check that bottled water is sealed before opening.
• Learn basic Vietnamese phrases like “Xin chào” (Hello) and “Cảm ơn” (Thank you). Locals appreciate the effort.
• Remove shoes before entering homes or religious sites.
• Keep small change handy for markets, taxis, and street vendors—large notes can be difficult to break.
• Respect street vendors and service workers by speaking politely and patiently, even during bargaining.
• 1. Respect at temples
• When visiting temples and pagodas – keep your arms and legs covered. A sarong is very handy, and make sure your knees are covered at the very least. It is again disrespectful to go to such places if you do not observe these.
• 2. Remove bling
• Do remove unnecessary jewelry, as it shows that you have money, and could make you a target for petty theft. Keep all valuables in a safe place. If you have much cash, you can divide into several parts and put them in different places with you, in case you meet the pickpocket or lose money elsewhere.
• 3. Keep your bag safe
• Do hold your bag in front of you, wrapped around your shoulder, so that you are not a victim of a drive-by bag snatcher. Unfortunately, you need to be vigilant as bag snatching is a big problem, even at temples and pagodas.
• 4. Know where you stay
• Do make sure that you have a hotel business card from the reception desk. This will make your return to the hotel in a taxi or motorbike much easier.
• 5. Negotiate and get a fixed price.
• Always firmly negotiate the exact price before you get on the back of a motorbike or buy anything on the streets.
• 6. Buy legitimate bottled water
• Do buy bottled water, but not any bottled water. You will pay less for a bottle of beer than a bottle of water. Keep a non-disposable water bottle on you and fill it up with boiled or purified water whenever you get the chance. Instead of buying bottled water – which is both expensive and bad for the environment.
• 7. Ask before you shoot
• Do ask permission before you take a photo of people. Many locals may be uncomfortable or will expect payment before you take the photo. Pay it. It is not a lot of VND, the currency of Vietnam.
• 8. Use chopsticks correctly
• Do use your chopsticks correctly. Sticking them upright in your bowl of rice, for example, is considered unlucky, as this is the symbol of two burning joss sticks used for funerals.
• 9. Do eat local food in Vietnam
• Do enjoy the local Vietnamese food, which is some of the best in the world. Consider doing a street food tour to get to some of the hidden gems in the back streets of Hanoi.
• 10. Money exchange
• Certainly confirm the exchange rate before exchanging.
• 11. Learn a few key Vietnamese phrases
• The official language in Vietnam is Vietnamese, but English is widely spoken in more touristy places. While it’s unlikely that you’ll have any trouble with language barriers in the bigger cities, it’s always a good idea to know the basics. Here are a few key phrases that will make your trip a whole lot more enjoyable and perhaps even impress a few locals:
• Hello – Xin chào
• Goodbye – Tạm biệt
• Thank you – Cám ơn
• Sorry – Xin Loi
• Please – Làm ơn
• Yes– Dạ
• No – Không
• How much is it? – Cái này giá bao nhiêu?
• Please help me – Làm ơn giúp tôi
• Where is the bathroom? – Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu?
• 12. Pack the right clothes
• Since the humidity is quite intense in Vietnam, it’s best to pack lightweight, breathable clothes made of linen or cotton that won’t leave you sweaty or weigh you down. (get yourself some sunscreen)
• Unless you’re visiting during winter (mid-December – March), there’s really no need to pack a ton of warm clothing. Instead, opt for shorts, skirts, your favorite t’s, and summery dresses. With that said, it’s still a good idea to bring along one or two lightweight jackets, jeans, and long-sleeved shirts for the odd chilly day or if you intend to go hiking. No matter when you visit, though, don’t forget your raincoat!
• Also, if you’re going to visit Vietnam’s incredible religious sites, remember to to pack accordingly. A simple sarong will do in most cases, but just make sure that you can cover your knees and shoulders.
• 13. Don’t drink the tap water
• Another big mistake to avoid in Vietnam is drinking the tap water. The tap water in Vietnam is not safe to drink, and you’re almost guaranteed to get sick!
• To avoid ruining your entire trip, rather buy bottled water. A 1.5 liter of bottled water costs less than a dollar and can be bought practically everywhere – from convenience stores to local restaurants to even your hotel.
• 14. Catch local taxi
• Moving around the town at night somehow we need to get a cab/taxi so that case make sure we should know the price before we get one, otherwise, we should use the Grab app which is convenient and tells you how much you have to spend.
• 15. electric outlet in Vietnam only sopport 2 prong
• 16. North Viet Nam
• Weather in Halong Bay
• December – March: cool to cold, misty, cloudy April – June: warm to hot, clear skies, sunny June – August: stormy, hot, humid September – November: mix of sun and clouds, warm to cool
• If you’re coming to Ha Long Bay, try to visit from April to June or September to November. You’ll have a better chance of enjoying sunny skies and pleasant temperatures. Other times of year, downpour or heavy mist is common, and tropical storms can sometimes cause cruise cancellations. However, if you’re on the water during this time you can experience a more mystical side of Halong Bay, with its famous karsts shrouded in mist. Temperatures in January can be frigid, so be sure to bring warm layers.
• Weather in Hanoi
• December – March: cool to cold, misty, cloudy April – June: warm to hot, clear skies, sunny
• June – August: hot, humid, rainy September – November: cool, clear skies, sunny
• The best time to visit Hanoi is usually from April to June or from September to December. From April the days are normally hot, occasionally above 30 degrees with clear skies. September to November sees cooler temperatures of around 25 degrees and sunny skies — perfect for exploring the capital.
• If you’re coming to Hanoi in June, expect soaring temperatures with humidity highs of 40 degrees, and the rainy season is full swing (June to August). December is cool, misty and atmospheric, however from late December until March temperatures are surprisingly cold with lows of 10 degrees. You’ll want to bundle up.
• Weather in Sapa
• December – March: chilly, misty, cloudy April – June: warm, clear skies, sunny June – August: stormy, warm, humid September – November: cool, clear skies, dry
• Vietnam’s Northern destinations such as Sapa have a much cooler climate than the rest of the country, particularly from late December until March. Sapa sees the occasional snowfall in January, so be prepared. Hotels in the area are equipped with heated blankets and local spas offer herbal baths for you to soak in and warm up.
• Sapa is near-perfect in late April, as flowers bloom and skies are clear. Early October is also lovely, as its impressive tiered rice paddies turn golden just before harvest.
• Central Vietnam
• Weather in Huế
• September-February: cool to cold, rainy, cloudy March-August: warm to hot, sunny, clear skies
• home of Vietnam’s last reigning dynasty, has a late rainy season, with storms and days that are wet and cool from September to February. Look out for occasional flooding from September to November. In the early months of the year, temperatures go down to 15 degrees, and January often sees a bit of mist. The rest of the year is dry, and in July you’ll have perfect beach weather, with highs of 35 degrees.
• Weather in Hội An
• September – January: rainy, cool, cloudy February – August: warm to hot, sunny, clear skies
• Hoi An is one of the country’s picture-perfect places, but starting in September, tropical storms hit Central Vietnam hard. March is an excellent time to see Hội An when the fields, gardens and streets are awash in bright blossoms and soothing greens. From May to August, the town can be hot, and you’ll want to head to the beach to cool off. In the late months of the year, from September to November, Hội An sees a lot of rain and even a few small floods. The temperatures begin to dip and reach their coldest point in January, warming up just before the Vietnamese new year.
• Weather in Nha Trang
• September to December: cool, rainy, cloudy January – August: hot, sunny, clear skies
• Nha Trang gets the more than 300 days of sunshine per year, the most out of the whole country. Some monsoons hit between September and December, but in general Nha Trang has the shortest rainy season in Vietnam. Most of the year, the city has a pleasant temperature, with cooling sea breezes, although you should expect lots of sun and hot days from July until August.
• Weather in Da Lat
• April – October: rainy, warm to hot, cloudy November – May: cool to cold, dry, clear skies
• Nestled in the central highlands, this charming mountain city is appreciated for its temperate climate. The air in Da Lat is always fresh and crisp. The mountains provide consistent cool temperatures and pleasant breeze, making it a great spot to escape the heat of the cities. Da Lat’s rainy season is from April until October. Temperatures are generally consistent with lows of 20 degrees in January and highs of 30 degrees in July.
• Southern Vietnam
• Weather in HCMC & the Mekong Delta
• May to November: sporadic rainfall, hot, humid December to April: clear skies, hot, sunny
• Southern Vietnam and HCMC have consistent temperatures year-round. HCMC is either hot and dry or hot and rainy, although there are some pleasant fresh days early in the year, and some scorching days mid-year. Temperatures are normally around 30 degrees, with sunshine. From May to November, the wet season brings a dependable afternoon downpour, usually lasting a few hours.
• Weather in Phú Quốc
• July – September: stormy, hot, humid October – June: clear skies, hot, sunny
• The island of Phu Quoc has some of Vietnam’s best beaches and promises balmy weather year-round. However, you might want to avoid visiting in the rainy season, from July through September. During these months some storms roll through, making ferrying dangerous and the beaches less than ideal. The rest of the year is hot and dry, and Phú Quốc is a sublime tropical escape in December and January.

What You Should Not Do:

• Do not drink tap water or use ice from unknown sources—opt for sealed bottled water, especially in smaller towns.
• Avoid aggressive bargaining, particularly in fixed-price shops or restaurants.
• Never touch someone’s head, including children, as it’s considered the most sacred part of the body.
• Do not point with your finger or feet, especially at people or religious statues.
• Refrain from discussing sensitive political issues such as the Vietnam War or government policies.
• Avoid taking photos of people without permission, especially in rural or ethnic minority communities.