What is the best currency to bring to Vietnam?

It is best to bring US dollars (USD), preferably new, crisp $100 bills, and exchange them for Vietnamese Dong (VND) at local banks or gold shops for a better exchange rate.

Do I need a power adapter for Vietnam?

Vietnam uses 220V/50Hz electricity and primarily features Type A, C, and F outlets. If your devices use these plug types, you likely won't need an adapter. However, it's always wise to check your device's compatibility.

Is tipping expected in Vietnam?

Tipping is not generally expected in restaurants. However, it is customary and appreciated for services at spas, massage parlors, and for hotel staff like bellboys and housekeepers.

How can I easily estimate prices from VND to USD?

A quick trick for a rough estimate is to remove three zeros from the Vietnamese Dong amount and then multiply by 4. For example, 100,000 VND is approximately $4 USD.

I don't like cilantro. How can I ask for it to be removed from my food in Vietnam?

Cilantro (coriander) is a common herb in Vietnamese cuisine. To ask for it to be left out of your dish, you can say 'Không rau mùi' (pronounced khong zao moo-ee). This is a very useful phrase for travelers who dislike the herb's flavor.

Essential Vietnam Travel Tips: A First-Timer's Guide

If you're planning a trip to Vietnam, there are some essential basics you should know. We've compiled a comprehensive guide covering everything from currency and exchange rates to regional climates, the best times to visit, packing lists, tipping culture, etiquette, and even basic travel phrases. Knowing these tips before you go will help make your journey to Vietnam more enriching and enjoyable.

Vietnam Basic Information

Time Zone: Vietnam Time (VNT) is UTC+7.
Weather: A tropical country that is hot year-round.
Voltage & Plugs: The standard voltage is 220V with a 50Hz frequency. Vietnam primarily uses Type A, C, and F outlets, which are compatible with plugs from Europe and many parts of Asia.
Visa: Many nationalities can enjoy a 45-day visa-free stay. However, regulations can change, so it's best to check the latest requirements for your specific passport before traveling.

Tip: The local pronunciation of 'Vietnam' is closer to ‘Viet-nam.’

Currency (Vietnamese Dong - VND)

Vietnam's currency, the Dong (VND), has large denominations and many types of bills, which can be confusing for new visitors. Bills and coins under 10,000 VND are rarely used. The largest bill, 500,000 VND, is a high-value note, and smaller shops may not have change, so it's a good idea to have smaller bills on hand. Also, make sure your bills are not torn or badly damaged, as they may not be accepted.

Various denominations of Vietnamese Dong currency notes

Types of Vietnamese Dong (VND) Currency

Local Currency Value

10,000 VND: Approx. $0.40 USD, enough for a simple snack.
20,000 VND: Approx. $0.80 USD, enough for a coffee or drink.
50,000 VND: Approx. $2.00 USD, enough for a simple meal at a local restaurant.

Exchange Rate & Currency Exchange

It's most advantageous to bring US dollars (USD) and exchange them for Vietnamese Dong (VND) locally. For the best rates, bring crisp, new $100 bills. While card payments are becoming more common, cash is still king, especially at smaller shops and street food stalls. ATMs are also widely available in cities.

Quick Calculation Tip: To get a rough estimate in USD, remove three zeros from the VND amount and multiply by 4. (e.g., 100,000 VND ≈ $4 USD).

Average Flight Prices & Durations

Flight prices can vary depending on the season, airline, and time of booking.

City	Flight Duration (from East Asia)	Average Round-Trip Price (USD)
Hanoi	Approx. 4h 30m	$220 - $450
Ho Chi Minh City	Approx. 5h 30m	$260 - $520
Da Nang	Approx. 5h	$300 - $600
Phu Quoc	Approx. 5h 20m	$370 - $670
Nha Trang	Approx. 5h	$300 - $600

Regional Dry and Rainy Seasons

Vietnam is a long, S-shaped country, and the climate and best travel seasons vary by region.

Region	Dry Season	Rainy Season
Hanoi	October - April	May - September
Ha Long Bay	October - April	May - September
Sapa	October - April	May - September
Ho Chi Minh	December - April	May - November
Da Nang	February - August	September - January
Phu Quoc	November - March	April - October
Nha Trang	January - August	September - December

City Features and Attractions

Popular Travel Destinations in Vietnam

Hanoi

As the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a city with a thousand-year history. Hoan Kiem Lake and the 36 Streets of the Old Quarter are the heart of its traditional atmosphere, and there are many historical sites like the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It's a great place to sample diverse Vietnamese cuisine through its street food and serves as a gateway to Ha Long Bay and Sapa.

Ha Long Bay

A UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is a spectacular landscape of about 1,600 limestone islands and islets rising from emerald waters. You can enjoy various activities like cruise tours, kayaking, and cave exploring. Ti Top Island and Sung Sot Cave are popular spots.

Sapa

Sapa is a beautiful town in the mountainous region of northern Vietnam, known for its breathtaking terraced rice fields and green mountains. Key activities include visiting ethnic minority villages, trekking on Fansipan Mountain, and exploring Cat Cat Village. With its cool climate and exotic atmosphere, Sapa offers a unique experience of both nature and tradition.

Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam's largest economic hub, Ho Chi Minh City, is a vibrant metropolis also known by its former name, Saigon. You can learn about the Vietnam War at the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Dong Khoi Street and Ben Thanh Market are great for shopping and food, making it a charming city where you can experience modern and traditional culture simultaneously.

Da Nang

A highly popular destination for global travelers, Da Nang is a coastal city in central Vietnam famous for attractions like My Khe Beach and Ba Na Hills. The spectacular night view of the Dragon Bridge and the natural scenery of the Marble Mountains are major draws for tourists. It's also a convenient base for trips to nearby Hoi An and Hue, offering a mix of relaxation and sightseeing.

Phu Quoc

Located in southwestern Vietnam, Phu Quoc is an island paradise with clear waters and fine white sand beaches. Sao Beach and Long Beach are its most representative spots, and marine activities like snorkeling and diving are popular. Visiting local pepper farms and pearl farms also offers a unique experience. The northern and southern parts of the island are well-developed with luxury resorts and tourist attractions, making it a perfect holiday island.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a coastal city in south-central Vietnam, famous for its blue seas and beautiful beaches. Visitors can enjoy amusement parks and resorts like VinWonders and Hon Tam Island, as well as cultural sites like Long Son Pagoda and Po Nagar Cham Towers. Island hopping tours and exploring seafood restaurants add to the fun of the trip.

Pre-Travel Checklist

Check Your Passport (at least 6 months validity)

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry. If it has less than six months of validity, you could be denied entry, so be sure to check well in advance of your trip.

Currency Exchange

Airport exchange rates are generally poor. It's best to exchange a minimal amount of currency in your home country, bring US dollars, and exchange them at a local bank or gold shop (which often have good rates) in Vietnam.

"Dong Wallet"

Due to the large denominations and many types of banknotes, handling Vietnamese Dong can be confusing. Using a compartmentalized wallet, often called a 'Dong wallet,' can be very helpful to stay organized and avoid payment mistakes. <strong>A popular travel hack is to label each compartment with a sticker showing the approximate USD or EUR value. For instance, you can label a pocket '≈ $2' for your 50,000 VND notes and '≈ $4' for your 100,000 VND notes. This simple trick saves you from doing mental math for every transaction and helps prevent overpayment.

Dong Wallet

Fintech Travel Cards

Consider getting a fintech travel card (like Wise, Revolut, etc.) before your trip. They often offer excellent exchange rates with no foreign transaction fees and allow for free or low-cost ATM withdrawals. You can top them up as needed through a mobile app.

Travel Insurance

While Vietnam is a safe country, it's always wise to get travel insurance to cover unexpected medical issues, accidents, or theft.

Connectivity: Roaming & SIM Cards

For short trips, roaming through your home provider might be convenient. For longer stays or heavy data use, purchasing a local SIM card upon arrival is a cheap and effective option.

Airport Pickup Service

When you exit the arrivals hall at the airport, you'll likely be approached by many taxi drivers. To avoid haggling and ensure a safe trip to your hotel, consider booking an airport pickup service in advance. Many hotels offer this, or you can use a ride-hailing app.

Helpful Apps to Install

Grab: The essential ride-hailing app in Southeast Asia for taxis and food delivery. You can see the route and pay a fixed price upfront.
Fintech App (e.g., Wise, Revolut): To manage your travel card, check balances, and add funds on the go.
Google Translate: Invaluable for voice and image translation to communicate with locals.
Google Maps: Essential for navigation, finding attractions, and checking restaurant reviews.
VinWonders: If you plan to visit a VinWonders theme park, this app has maps, show times, and special offers.
Klook: A popular platform for booking tours, activities, and transport in advance, often at a discount.

Tipping Culture

There is no mandatory tipping culture in most Vietnamese restaurants. However, tipping is customary and greatly appreciated at massage parlors and spas. A small tip for hotel bellboys and housekeeping staff is also a nice gesture.

Suggested Tip Amounts

Bellboy: 20,000 - 50,000 VND (approx. $1-2)
Housekeeping: 20,000 VND (approx. $1) per night. For larger suites or villas, 50,000 - 100,000 VND (approx. $2-4) is appropriate.
Massage/Spa: Based on the duration of the service.

30 min: 20,000 VND (approx. $1)
60 min: 50,000 VND (approx. $2)
90 min: 70,000 VND (approx. $3)
120 min or more: 100,000 VND (approx. $4)

Travel Etiquette

Whenever you visit another country, understanding and respecting its social norms and culture is key to a smooth and enjoyable trip.

Dress Code: When visiting temples or religious sites, be sure to dress modestly. Avoid revealing clothing; shorts and sleeveless tops may not be permitted.
Temple Visiting Hours: It's best to avoid visiting Buddhist temples during lunchtime (usually 12 PM - 1 PM) as it's a time of rest for the monks.
Conversation Topics: Vietnamese people are proud and nationalistic. It is best to avoid bringing up the Vietnam War or other sensitive political topics in conversation.
Physical Contact: Avoid touching someone's shoulder or head. In Vietnamese culture, it is believed that the head and shoulders are sacred places where ancestral spirits reside.

Basic Vietnamese Phrases

While you can get by with English in most tourist areas, locals always appreciate it when you try to speak their language. Here are a few basic phrases to get you started.

Hello: Xin chào (sin chao)
Goodbye: Tạm biệt (tam biet)
Thank you: Cảm ơn (gam uhn)
Sorry / Excuse me: Xin lỗi (sin loy)
How much is this?: Giá bao nhiêu? (yah bao nyoo?)
Too expensive: Quá đắt (kwa dat)
Please give me a discount: Giảm giá dùm (yam yah yoom)
No coriander, please: Không rau mùi (khong rao moo-ee)
Where is the restroom?: Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu? (nyah vey sin uh dou?)
Menu, please: Cho tôi xem thực đơn (cho toy sem took dohn)
This one, please: Cho tôi cái này (cho toy kai nai)
It's delicious: Ngon lắm (ngon lam)
It's okay / No problem: Không sao (khong sao)
Help me: Giúp tôi với (yoop toy vuy)
Please call a taxi: Gọi taxi dùm (goy tak-see yoom)

This guide covers the essential information you should know before traveling to Vietnam, a country with diverse destinations and unique characteristics in each region. It's a fantastic place to travel with family, partners, or friends. Understanding these basics will surely make your trip more enjoyable.