As one of the most popular travel destinations in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has a burgeoning tourism scene. From natural wonders such as Halong Bay in the north to the pretty town of Hoi An and the captivating Ho Chi Minh City in the south, this diverse country offers much to discover. Although relatively liberal in regard to tourists, it must be remembered that Vietnam is officially a one-party state, with the hardline Communist Party of Vietnam having been in power since 1975. It is worth keeping this in mind, alongside other rules and advice to ensure a safe and fun trip to Vietnam. Here are our essential dos and don’ts for visiting.
Dos:
Do wear helmets on motorbikes: Mopeds and motorbikes are the most important way for people to get around Vietnam, due to their low cost. It is easy for tourists to hire their own, or book moped-taxis through apps on their phone like Grab. Always wear a helmet – this is the law, and police will stop and fine travelers who don’t. Vietnam also has some of the highest road traffic accident statistics for any country in the world, and a helmet could save your life.
Do tuck into street food: Not only is street food in Vietnam absolutely mouthwatering, but it’s also cheap and nutritious. If you’re a backpacker on a budget, you can comfortably eat two or three meals per day for less than $10. Take usual food hygiene precautions but street food, especially in the big cities, is of high quality.
Do remove shoes before entering homes and temples: It is customary to remove your shoes when entering a home or temple during your visit. Some temples will have staff to remind you, but even if they don’t it is disrespectful to enter a spiritual place such as a temple without removing your footwear.
Do dress modestly: Similarly, when visiting temples, make sure to cover your knees and shoulders, to show respect for local customs. When exploring more widely, in cities and other attractions, this modest dress is generally not required.
Do bargain respectfully: Haggling in markets such as Ho Chi Minh City’s Ben Thanh Market is a fun experience, and its fully expected by the sellers, who mark up the price of their items. However, remember that by Western standards Vietnam is a poor country, so whilst it is fine to haggle, make sure you do so respectfully and always pay a fair price for the items you are purchasing.
Do figure out the currency: Vietnamese currency borders on the ridiculous. Denominations of the Vietnamese Dong range from the worthless 100 up to 500,000 and many of the notes look very similar. You will save yourself a lot of time, embarrassment, and cash, by doing your homework before you arrive. And keep in mind that in much of rural Vietnam, paying by card is not an option.
Do try an egg coffee: It might sound odd, but this Vietnamese specialty is a must. Whipped egg yolk replaces milk in this coffee, born out of milk shortages during the Vietnam war. Thanks to French colonialism, Vietnam has a delightful café culture and coffee is a key part of this. You’ll want to try a coconut coffee too.
Do be careful crossing the road: Vietnamese road rules are made to be broken. Traffic lights mean nothing, and the green man at pedestrian crossings means the same as a red one. The generally accepted method for crossing the road is to just walk across and let the traffic work its way around you. If you stop suddenly, you make a crash more likely. As a tourist getting used to this organised chaos, your best bet is to shadow a local.
Don’ts
Don’t overdo the PDA: Vietnamese culture is considerably more conservative than in many Western countries, and public displays of affection like kissing are frowned upon. Best to wait until you are back in your hotel.
Don’t disrespect the government or national flag: As we mentioned, Vietnam is a strict one-party state. And although tourists are likely to be treated more leniently than locals, bad-mouthing the government or disrespecting historic figures like Ho Chi Minh in public is not recommended.
Don’t touch anybody’s head: The head is the most sacred part of the body, according to traditional Vietnamese culture. It’s extremely disrespectful to touch someone’s head without their permission.
Don’t point with your feet: If the head is the most sacred part of the body, the feet are considered the lowest and least important part. Pointing with your feet at someone is considered disrespectful, so use hand gestures instead.
Don’t drink the tap water: As in most of Southeast Asia, the tap water is not safe to drink and may make you unwell. Stick to readily available bottled water – and make sure to dispose of the bottles properly.
Don’t wear American sports jerseys to a war museum: This is very specific but very important. Vietnam is hot, American basketball jerseys are a great way to keep cool. But if visiting the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, which tells the terrifying and hideous tale of innocent Vietnamese being killed by US Napalm strikes during the Vietnam War, it’s not a good look.
Don’t take photos of military installations or police: It is illegal to take photographs of military bases, equipment or personnel without permission. Friendly police officers and soldiers may be happy to pose for a photo with you, but you must ask them politely beforehand.
Don’t expect everyone to speak English: Whilst in the big cities, you may be able to get by, as broken English is spoken by most staff in hotels and restaurants. But in more rural areas, don’t expect anyone to speak English. Try and learn some basic Vietnamese and make use of translation apps on your phone to converse with the locals.
Vietnam is a truly magnificent country to visit, with a rich and turbulent history, authentic culture, jaw-dropping landscapes and an incredibly hospitable population. Use these dos and don’ts to ensure a memorable, fun and safe trip to Vietnam.
Author:
Ben works as a content marketer for a global travel business, specializing in travel guides and articles. He is well traveled, having visited 25 countries so far including Peru, Turkey, Estonia, Jordan, Egypt, USA, Hungary, Spain and Italy. He’s interested in politics, history, Formula One and environmentalism.