10 Things You Need to Know Before You Go to Vietnam

By Marybeth Bond

I just returned from Vietnam, an outrageously exciting country to visit. And as a woman of experience now, I can tell you that a little preparation ahead of time will go a long way. The country has certain quirks, such as a certain way of crossing the street, that are best to know before you go. Here’s your pre-vacation reading.

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Trying to cross the busy streets of Vietnam can be like a real-life game of Frogger. (Photo: Thinkstock)

1. Crossing the street is a whole thing there. To do it right (and stay alive), slowly wade out into the moving traffic of cars, motorbikes, rickshaws, and food carts. Keep moving at a steady pace. Do not hesitate, do not stop, do not text, and do not read a map while crossing. Just go. It may seem scary to just put yourself out there and hope for the best without getting the go-ahead, but trust me, they will careen around you.

2. There is a chance you could end up eating dog or cat meat. To avoid such a fate, learn the Vietnamese terms thịt chó for dog meat and thịt mèo for cat meat. Despite laws passed in 1997 banning the consumption of cat meat, more and more pet cats are snatched off Vietnamese streets and are smuggled in from China and Laos. The “delicacy” appears on the menu as “little tiger.” Beware of restaurateurs who boast about an exotic surprise.

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With such a wide range of denominations, Vietnamese currency can be confusing. (Photo: Andia/Alamy)

3. The currency is confusing. It is called the “dong,” and one American dollar is worth 21,734.80 dongs. What this means in layman’s terms is that there are a lot of zeros when you translate. Your best bet: Figure out the crazy currency before you go or as soon as you arrive, so that you won’t tip $.05 or $50 by mistake. Tip: Memorize the currency by color when you get there. A blue bill is approximately $5, etc.

4. Know how to pronounce Vietnam’s national dish “pho” correctly. It’s a flavorful, noodle-based soup, and it’s everywhere. The soup is pronounced “fuuh,” like the first syllable in “phenomenal.” Many people mispronounce it by calling it “foe.” Don’t do that.

Related: I Ate My Way Through Vietnam

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Learn how to pronounce “pho” before you order. (Photo: Marybeth Bond/Gutsy Traveler)

5. Pack for the right season. In the summer, Vietnam is hot and humid, so you can leave your jeans at home. In the winter, North Vietnam can be extremely cold, so be sure to pack a warm jacket. Check the weather reports before you go, and bring a cheap umbrella to protect you from common rainstorms.

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With a private car and driver, you can make your own tour and see the sights you want to see. (Photo: Thinkstock)

6. Ask for the price of a private car, driver, and guide. If there are three people in your group, it often costs the same or less to hire a private car and guide than to pay for a prearranged tour. On a private tour, you call the shots: when to leave your hotel, where to eat, how many temples you want to see, and when to return to your accommodations. And if you ask me, this is better than being powerless in a group tour — especially if it’s not even more expensive.

Related: Bring, Buy, Leave: Vietnam

7. Beware of taxi scams. There are numerous rogue taxis at the airport. Book a transfer through your hotel from the airport to your accommodation to avoid the risk of one of those taxis overcharging you. You do not have to pay for tolls, so if they ask you for toll money, refuse to pay. Drivers in Vietnam routinely disobey traffic laws. Insist that your driver not talk on his cellphone while driving, because he may end up missing turns and therefore charging you for a longer-than-necessary ride, not to mention that it’s unsafe.

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Vietnamese officials take requirements for passports very seriously, so be sure that yours is in order. (Photo: Getty Images)

8. Your passport must be valid for six months after your arrival in Vietnam. The passenger in the seat next to me on the flight to Hanoi had been denied entry a month earlier because his passport had only five and a half months of validity. Vietnamese officials take this requirement very seriously, and it could be a costly and time-consuming oversight.

9. Visas can be obtained in various ways. You can mail your passport to the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Washington, D.C., which can take up to a month. You can also get a visa upon arrival, which requires an “approval letter” from the Vietnamese Immigration service. Such letters are frequently offered as part of a tour package or a cruise. And you can purchase one online through a registered agent for $50.

Related: Three Ways to Cut Costs Traveling Abroad With a Smartphone

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Be careful before you dial when you’re overseas. (Photo: iStock)

10. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive. AT&T doesn’t cover Vietnam, even if you’re on the AT&T Passport plan, so definitely check to see if your carrier covers the country before you go. Alternatively, just get a SIM card to forget the international data plan entirely. When you run out of minutes, you can easily stop at any roadside stop and “pay as you go,” which means you add more money onto your SIM card. You can also use apps like Skype, Viber, or WeChat to make free calls or send messages when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. But be sure that your data roaming is turned off, because even if you’re on Wi-Fi, your phone may pick up the signal from your carrier instead of from Wi-Fi, meaning you will be charged more.

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