TRAVEL AROUND VIETNAM

Suggested days per location in different areas and trip lengths

OTHERS

& OFF-THE-BEATEN-TRACK DESTINATIONS

⛰ Mountains ⛰
Ha Giang motorbike loop, Pu Luong, Cao Bang – waterfalls

🏖 Seaside 🏖
Mui Ne, Lang Co, Cat Ba, Quy Nhon, Vung Tau, Phu Quoc

🛖 Countryside 🛖
Mai Chau, Ben Tre, Phong Nha

✅ TRAVEL INFORMATION & TIPS ✅

✈️ Flights ✈️
Book early to HCMC airport (Tan Son Nhat [SGN]) to secure better prices. Share your schedule on the RSVP form for travel assistance.

🆘 Safety 🆘
Vietnam is a violence-free country overall, people are humble and supportive, avoiding fights, and major crimes (guns are extremely rare), but watch for pickpocketing or pick-and-run in HCMC.

🚕 Moving around in cities 🚕
Use Grab or Be apps for rides; avoid unverified/scam taxis at airports.
Transportation time is quite unpredictable when heavy traffic. Roads may be dangerous: avoid motorbikes unless you are an expert driver.

Recommended taxi companies:
Vinasun, MaiLinh, XanhSM (HCMC);
G7, MaiLinh, XanhSM (Hanoi).

🍜 Food 🍜
Vietnamese cuisine is rich and varied.

Must try: pho, bun cha, banh xeo, hotpot, grilled seafood...
Challenging: mam tom (shrimp fermented paste),
durian (stinky-smelly fruit), thit cho (dog meat)...

🏨 Accommodation 🏨
Options are plentiful for all budgets.
Stick to newer hotels or international brands for better service. Generally, hotels should be considered one star below international standards.
*Wedding accommodation: see “Wedding Locations”

🔇 Noise 🔇
Sensitivity of noise is quite low in Vietnam: bustling city soundscape includes karaoke, motorbikes honking, and construction. Countryside areas are quieter.

💶 Prices 💶
Costs are low. Meals range from ~2 € at family-run local spots to ~15 € per dish for international food or seafood.
Taxis start from ~1 € and one-day tours from ~20 €.

💰 Tipping 💰
It is rare (sometimes even rejected) but appreciated for exceptional service, especially in tourism and wellness services.
Western-style businesses may sometimes add service fee.

🤐 Language 🤐
Vietnamese is tonal and challenging but locals may try English if they know.
It may often feel unpolite, as people don’t use formalities.

Key phrases:
Xin chào = hello
Cám ơn = thank you
Không = no