Here’s All You Need To Know When Planning To Visit Vietnam

Posted on: Apr 17, 2023 | | Written by:

Here’s All You Need To Know When Planning To Visit Vietnam

Published on April 18, 2023. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Serene islands, beautiful beaches, incredible history, and delicious cuisine are just some of the many reasons that more and more people are finding Vietnam to be a fabulous travel destination. The multi-ethnic country is located on the Indochina peninsula at the eastern edge of Southeast Asia mainland. This proximity, direct flights, visa-on-arrival, and an incredible currency exchange rate make it all the more attractive for Indians to choose Vietnam as a top destination.

If you are planning to spend a few days in Vietnam, then here’s your Vietnam travel guide, that can make your experience all the more enjoyable. Read on as we discuss every aspect, including the right international travel insurance , that you need to bear in mind when planning a trip to this exquisite country.

When to Go:

Determining the finest time to visit Vietnam is difficult because the weather varies extremely from area to area. In the hottest months, temperatures in Vietnam can occasionally reach as high as 40°C, but they barely fall below 20°C from March to end of May, as these are the hottest months. From October through December, Northern Vietnam experiences its most pleasant weather. If you want to get a great feel of the place, the best time to visit Vietnam is between September-December and March-April.

Visa & Passport essentials:

Visa and passport essentials for Vietnam depend on your nationality. Generally, tourists from the majority of countries must apply beforehand for a 30-day valid Vietnam visa. Typically, a 30-day stay is permitted. However, a 15-day visa-free stay is provided to passport holders belonging to 62 countries, which apart from India include Brazil, Egypt, Turkey, Switzerland, South Africa, and Poland.

In case you hold a different nationality and plan to stay in Vietnam for over 15 days, you are required to secure a visa before arriving in the country. You can arrange this easily via an e-visa. You can also obtain a visa upon arrival if you are travelling as a part of a tour group led by a Vietnamese international travel operator. The following international airports are eligible for a visa on arrival: Hanoi, Nha Trang, Saigon, Phu Quoc Island, and Da Nang.

Trip cost & budget:

The best part about Vietnam is that it can fit into almost everyone’s international travel budget. There is no doubt that if you are travelling from a Western country, Vietnam is likely to be one of the least expensive travel destinations. Daily costs in Vietnam are cheap and always negotiable, such as entrance fees to historical sites, food and drink (especially if you follow the locals), and transportation costs. Most temples and pagodas are free to enter as well. Nevertheless, there are no limits to a luxurious and high-end trip.

Before your visit, make sure to go through with a Vietnam travel guide from India, so that you can explore the options that best suit your needs as well as budget. A weeklong holiday to Vietnam typically costs INR 50,000 to 75,000 for one person. However, the prices greatly depend on your preferred stay options.

Currency:

The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). However, Vietnam accepts foreign currencies too. The US dollar is accepted widely, followed by the Euro. Canadian dollars, British pounds, and Australian dollars are not accepted widely. Even if some areas do approve of them, the exchange rates are quite high.

As of March 2023, these are the conversion rates:

1. GBP 1 = 28,586.19 VND

2. USD 1 = 23,577.50 VND

3. EUR 1 = 25,172.16 VND

4. AUD 1 = 15,686.94 VND

You should also know that INR 1 is equal to VND 284.57.

Language:

The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese. Yet, big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh and areas that attract huge crowds of tourists speak English fluently as well. Nonetheless, it is always nice to have a basic knowledge of day-to-day Vietnamese words for better communication. Khmer, Chinese, and French are some of the other highlander languages that are spoken by the locals. In case you feel that language is becoming a barrier, you can always take the help of your Vietnam tour guide.

Ensuring proper mobile connectivity:

It is important to retain smooth mobile connectivity. Hence, try securing a temporary Vietnam SIM card immediately. Vietnam has 3 chief operators that deal in selling SIM cards, i.e., Mobifone, Viettel, and Vinaphone. To get network data, it is advisable to get a package from Vinaphone, costing around 70,000 VND per month. This package will include 600M of 3G data and unlimited 2G data. Additionally, you may need to use a VOIP, such as Skype, in case you want to make any international calls. Most hotels, coffee shops, and restaurants offer WIFI.

Online ticket booking:

For a trip to Vietnam, you can either make plans yourself or take the help of professionals. Your Vietnam travel guide will help you with all the formalities to help you reach safely and stay comfortably.

Booking online tickets, via trains or flights, for moving within Vietnam is quite easy. Almost all popular brands of credit card are accepted, which make transactions very convenient. The price of airline tickets fluctuates daily and is largely influenced by the availability of each location. You can get better pricing if you book earlier.

Shopping Tips:

While exploring the country, you will come across a large number of markets in Vietnam. Items are quite affordable and generally range from cheap to high-end price tags. These marketplaces are generally set up after sunset. Here are some shopping tips.

1. Avoid bargaining below 50%. Doing so is considered disrespectful. Consider shopping around for the same item if you believe a dealer is overcharging.

2. Be mindful of pickpockets. Prefer carrying a small amount of cash and using your cards where possible. Do not put your phone in your back pocket.

3. Take your time moving around the market.

4. As you buy more things, you receive a better deal. Thus, try buying the maximum number of items from the same vendor.

5. Think about purchasing compact and lightweight things.

6. Study a few terms in Vietnamese and expand your shopping vocabulary. You wouldn't believe how much this may maximise your shopping experience!

Food tips:

The most delicious dishes in Vietnam are available on the sidewalks and in neighbouring markets. In case you visit Saigon, make sure you don't skip the Ben Thanh Market. The locals organise an incredible food tour, and a wide number of foreigners visit the place to taste the local delicacies.

Coffee is the heart of Vietnamese people. You can try the classic ca phe sua da, or a glass of iced milk coffee. You can also try some other variations of coffee, including the cà phê trứng (egg coffee), cà phê muối (salt coffee), and coconut coffee.

Vietnamese cuisine is full of herbs, flavours, and fresh vegetables. Noodles and rice are common dishes, along with soups like the iconic pho (a beef noodle soup). Some other popular dishes include meat curry, grilled fish, Wonton soup, and fresh French bread (Bahn me). You can try Xoi (a kind of sticky rice), Nem Raan, Cha Ca (Grilled minced fish), Cha Gio (Fried spring rolls), and Phở (broth noodles). The primary ingredients used in Vietnamese cuisine include chilli, lemongrass, fish sauce, mint, lime, and Thai basil. In beverages, you can try healthy fruit juices like lychee iced tea, sugar cane juice (nuoc mia), and regional beers.

Accommodation:

As per international standards, accommodation is quite cheap in Vietnam. The price, however, depends on your choice of stay. You can choose to stay in a luxury hotel or a shared dorm. For budget travellers, there are plenty of hostel and hotel options throughout the country. Hotels are yet another option if you are looking for a spacious and private room. Needless to add, they elevate your travel experience and give you a luxurious and comfortable feel.

Besides you can also choose Airbnb. There are a lot of Airbnb accommodations available throughout Vietnam. Airbnb is a better value for money and offers outstanding personal space.

Note that the lodging will hold your passport during your period of stay. Government authorities periodically visit and inspect hotels and hostels. The lodging will be penalised if they fail to provide the IDs or passports of each person staying there. While your passport will be kept in a safe at the lodging, it is always better to be cautious of its safekeeping.

How to Get Around?

Getting around Vietnam via train for longer distances is considered to be the safest, comfortable, and affordable means of transport. Despite being slow at times, trains offer an incredible view of the countryside. On the other hand, if you want to cover most of Vietnam in a short span, taking a domestic flight is a better alternative.

Speaking of public transportation, cyclo (a bicycle rickshaw) is regarded as one of the cheapest ways to move around in towns and cities. Another popular option is a motorbike taxi, locally called a ze om. However, make sure you wear a helmet without fail. Some other transport options are car rentals and hitchhiking. Buses are another excellent transportation facility to hop on and off any local stop along the route. Additionally, bus services are extremely affordable.

Conclusion

Vietnam can indeed be a traveller’s paradise. From beautiful topography to sizzling nightlife, the country offers you everything. Just plan a little, and make sure you safeguard your trip with travel insurance , and you can get set to have a wonderful time.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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