Tips/ Advice Personal Thoughts Experience When Travelling Vietnam (1 Month)

Hello

So, I just finished a month and a few days overseas July to August. Flew out from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh with Jet-Star (8hr). I travelled to Saigon Phu Quoc, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue Here are some things I have noticed and what to expect and things I could have done better. I was nervous about going to Vietnam as when I went as a kid I got really sick. It has been 26 years since.

Money:

  • Physical cash: I highly suggest bringing new AUD 100-dollar notes, ensure no graffiti are on these notes. Some gold stores reject these.
  • I also brought a Wise Travel card. I personally found their exchange rates better than other banks/travel cards.
  • Vietnam ATM either take 4 or 6 pin, If the ATM requires 6 Pin use 0 0 to pad the passcode front or back depends on the ATM. Most ATM are VISA.
  • Link your travel card to the GRAB app before heading to Vietnam. You will need an SMS passcode in order to add the card.
  • USD is rarely used.
  • I suggest two wallets. One wallet with majority of your money left at the hotel in your suitcase. Carry only necessary amounts of money and your travel card for day to day activities.
  • There is no need to carry a physical passport around. Best to leave it in your suitcase if it is safe to do so. I carried a photocopy of my passport in my wallet.

Mobile /Sim Cards:

  • Either search on Ozbargin for an eSim or when waiting for your visa to be processed after landing, there are two sim companies just before immigration offering 1 month data + Call and text. They are roughly 300 000 VND.

Suitcases/ Clothes

  • If your intent is to purchase a lot of items such as coffee, pottery tea sets etc. I suggest packing light in Australia, if you are missing clothes, it is very easy and cheap to purchase. I packed a duffel bag such as Mountain Designs Expedition 90L bag into my suitcase. I also brought a bungee cord. The intent was to use it once the suitcase was full. Moving around i just put the duffel bag on top of the suitcase and tied it down with the bungee cord.
  • Bringing clothes if traveling in summer I suggest long sleeve loose cottons shirts. I brought polyester-based shirts and they felt they were going to melt on me. Bring cheap comfortable clothes pollution and humdity is quite high there.
  • Washing clothes. There are ‘Laundry’ shops nearby that wash clothes. I would not wash expensive clothes at these stores. My clothes did shrink a bit as I assume they used a dryer. Roughly 4kg of dry weight clothing is about 60 000 VND. Drop in the morning 6am done by 2pm same day.

Airline/ Traveling around.

  • Plane from Sydney to Vietnam was okay. When checking in Jetstar requires you to present your visa ensure you have a printed copy of your visa.
  • Vietnam to Sydney. At the gate to board your plane you will be asked to surrender all liquids over 100ml. They will conduct a bag search. So, if you are bringing water, please drink it before entering the fenced gate section.
  • There is no issue bringing water onto domestic flights in Vietnam. As long as it has not been opened.
  • If you are traveling from city to city. I suggest purchasing your tickets with Vietnam Airlines over Viet Jet. Viet Jet is No1 famous in Vietnam for delays if you like 4hr delays please book ahead with them. Ensure all flights booked include your middle name as shown on the passport.
  • Lounges are pretty good if you have American express or a supporting credit card.
  • Seen those Instagram train rides around Vietnam. Please DO NOT TAKE IT. They are filthy.People put their feet up and the DELAYS. They are not suited for people over 160cm. I took a train from Da nang to Hue, being 184cm tall myself and other tourists stood up for majority of the trip. The sleeper carriages are dirty, Pillows and mats are not washed/bed sheet changed. Taking a plane from one city to another is the best way.
  • Book private limos do not take sleeper buses. You will not be sleeping If you need to go from, say Hanoi to Sapa or Ninh Binh transit I suggest booking a limo about 30 USD one way. I have spoken to tourists at rest stops that have taken sleeper buses they look like they have been through hell. Through out Hanoi I took private transfers so much quicker and faster. Hotel to Hotel drop off.

Hotels/ Resorts / Motel

  • Majority of my stays have been in hotels. Ensure you book a quality hotel. Some motels do not have a lift.
  • Quality hotels offer breakfast buffet to mid-day. My go to hotel would have to be Haian Beach Hotel and Spa.
  • Hotels are generally safe. I have left my passports valuables inside my suitcase locked and touch wood they haven’t gone missing.
  • You will need to present your passport for scanning when checking in. this is required by the government.
  • Bond payment, all bonds are roughly 1 million VND. However most do not take a bond. When checking out you will be asked to wait in the lobby as they check your room for damages.
  • Don't bother overnight in Ha Long Bay. Heaps of rubbish in the water. I did a day trip (Day tour). It is enough. Also packed with Tourists. They say you cant bring plastic bottle onto the ship. Its a like put it in your bag. They are personally trying to sell you bottle of water for 30 000 vnd over 5 000 you can buy at the convenient store.
  • I did a day tour in Ninh Binh. I suggest self tour.

Buying things around Vietnam

  • It is cheaper to buy everything in Hanoi. Hanoi sells things from Hoi An, Saigon, Danang and Sapa.
  • You don’t even need to negotiate that hard unlike in Saigon. Example in Saigon Ben Thanh Markets they wanted 500k for a North Face shirt negotiating will bring it down to 200k. In Hanoi it starts off at 150k and negotiations 100 – 120k buy in bulk 5 at a time 100k.
  • Negotiating in Saigon Ben Thanh Saigon Square people are very fierce, I personally did not enjoy it. Also they have these heavy tatted guys watching you. I assume body guard. Seen them go harass tourists who tried their luck failing to negotiate with store women.
  • Most store offer reasonable negotiating in Hanoi. They will have a sign if they do not offer negotiation. Compare prices on Shopee to what stores are selling. You can even show them the price and they will match it.
  • Things worthwhile buying lanterns, pottery vases, tea sets, tea coffee.
  • Buying tailor made clothes. I personally would advise against it compared to what Instagram says. I did buy from a very popular store wont name who but in Hoi An. Quality of materials are quite average. My partner forced me to buy a suit 6.5million ~ 500 aud. Would I wear it yes, but do I think it will last no. I would personally spend my money on a Charles Tyrwhitt suit quality and thickness of material.
  • Going into markets please wear backpack with it facing forward so prevent pick pockets and bumping into items some store owners will ask you to do this before entering their store. I used re usable cable ties to close the zipper when walking.

Eating

  • I didn’t get sick from eating street food. Eat at busy stores only. Stores with large turn overs are safer.
  • Hand Sanitiser before eating. Wipe down cutlery with tissues. Avoid eating with hands. Heaps of salads I personally didn’t eat too much of it in one meal to be safe. I have seen left over salads are re washed for the next person. Or a plate of salad is on the table and re filled.
  • Drink bottled water. I prefer Dasani or Aquafina over la vi. I had no issues drinking iced drinks over there. Ice is delivered daily to the shops.
  • Must eat 4 P Pizza. Heaps better pizza compared to Sydney

Summary

I hope this helps anyone who is planning to go to Vietnam. Pretty good country. Would I go again yes. I found that Vietnam is more advanced then Sydney. Please let me know of your thoughts too. I am thinking of going back in 2025. If anyone in the comments wants a break down of each city and what to expect let me know I can do an add on to this post.

Comments

  • +1

    Tips/ Advice When Travelling Vietnam

    Watch out for the train.

  • +1

    Why travel there when you can live there?

    It's cheap and the ladies are more open.

    • +1

      How is your mum?

  • Ho Chi Minh is probably my least favourite part of Vietnam. Great nightlife with lots of pubs / hotels if you're into drinking and partying / disco but the air pollution and the heat just makes travelling around the city kind of unpleasant.

    The country side parts of Vietnam is quite good. Suggest renting a bike and go riding at the seaside villages of Danang and enjoy the seafood there (live fish is expensive though, I just went for the dead fish).

    Also enjoyed the Ha long bay 2 day 1 night cruises, although that would depend on company. If you're travelling alone it's probably not going to be fun.

    • I agree to wasn't a fan of Ho Chi Minh. From what a local told me the working girls are usually from the country side with no education.
      They are usually dis-owned by their family for entering that industry.

    • what about for alone 1 week in November? Sat to Sat
      Im going SYD-SGN retrun. Is squeezing in domestic flights between that week to go up north pushing it?

  • Vietnam ATM require 6 pin

    I had no problem with 4-digit PIN on Citi and ING cards.

    • Fixxed, You are right. I had some cases 4 digit some 6 depends on the ATM

  • +2

    "Vietnam to Sydney. At the gate you will be asked to surrender all liquids over 100ml. They conduct a bag search. So, if you are bringing water, please drink it before entering the fenced gate section."

    Isnt this a requirement of the Australian government for flights coming to back to Australia? Often I see ppl complain about this and blame the carriers but its got nothing to do with them from my understanding.

    • +1

      yes it is Aus government required. Not sure why…

      • "security theatre"

  • So far I only notice Jetstar do this at the gate when all other airlines i travelled don't as the liquids would be from fountain filled or store bought after the security check. I suspect they do it so they force you to buy the drinks on the plane.

    • Main security check does not care about bottles.
      So they have a second check for flights to AU. You need to empty your water bottle before the boarding lounge security, and refill it afterwards.

      • +1

        I know the different checks but this one in Bali Jetstar had one right at the gate (3rd checkpoint) so there is no way to refill. They brought a crate and foldable table.

  • +1

    As an Aussie, how do you get a Visa?

    So much conflicting information out there. Seems like there are more than 1 way to get a visa?

    The website recommended on the Vietnamese embassy (reminds me of Geocities) timed out lol.

    And other link on their website- https://vietnamembassyvisa.org.au/ just states "According to Viet Nam’s current requirements, please contact a travel agency to arrange a tourist visa application."

  • how was crossing the road?

  • Hot Toc?

  • I did an Intrepid trip 5 years ago, IMO a pretty good way to experience northern Vietnam (Hanoi and further north) if you don't mind being with other people. Some absolutely beautiful spots, tour guide was great for sussing out the kitchens in restaurants for food quality (he just kept walking into the kitchen of everywhere that wasn't pre-planned lol), got us some great deals on currency exchange too (better than xe.com for fresh USD notes).

    I felt safer in northern Vietnam than I ever do in the Melbourne CBD. Crime against tourists is pretty harshly punished. Worst is people pushing you to pay tourist prices for things. Hardest thing to come to terms with is crossing a road. You just walk, don't hesitate, don't stop or someone will hit you. Motorbikes just go around people and the traffic isn't moving fast enough to run into people unless they do something stupid. It was worse further north though where there were quieter roads but a lot of tourists, the tourists are terrible riders.

    I also bought my sim after getting to Vietnam from small vender in Hanoi. It was a lot cheaper than the airport. 4G signal was great through the countryside.

    If you do go further north, remember not to buy anything off kids. They are always trying to sell stuff to people, but they're being pulled out of school to sell to tourists, so don't encourage it.

    • I hired a motor scooter when I was there ~20 yrs ago, I was completely sober and it was TRIPPY, YOU JUST GO GO GO in a smooth straight line, and the millions of everyone just organically FLOW around you.

  • They are filthy people put their feet up
    Well done branding an entire country.

    Also nothing wrong with sleeper buses and trains, just your expectations.

    Majority of my stays have been in hotels. Ensure you book a quality hotel. Some motels do not have a lift

    Again expectations. What motels in Australia have a lift?

    And two nights I Halong Bay/ Cat Ba. Second night you get away from most the tourist on a day trip.
    Don't forget to bring your own liquor ;)

  • Heading there in a few weeks. Cheers for the words of wisdom.

  • Sexy Heo Quay is all you need to know.

  • Any recommendations on Ha Long Bay? Thanks

    • Bring your water onto the boat just hide it in your bag nobody is going to check.
      Just make sure you take your bottles with you back on the bus.

      Don't bother wearing swimmers there is zero space to swim i doubt you want to swim once you see the floating rubbish.

      If you are planning to do kayaking bring a waterproof phone case/ bag the kayak will tip over saw multiple people tip over. Bring towels /spare clothes.

      On the way to Ha Long Bay there is a pearl farm. A tourist trap.

      I personally would not recommend doing the overnight stay imo. There is not much to do.

      Ninh Binh is better but make sure you tip the boat rowers. They row you for like 2 hours. I tip 200k vnd so about 10aud but I think 100 k vnd so about 5-6 aud.

  • OP, we booked the trip for May 2024.
    do we need to apply for the E-VISA now or only 1 week before departing is enough?
    Also, the website is very confusing, how much did you pay to get the visa? or did you get the visa after you landed? How fast are they process the visa? thanks

    • I suggest 3 weeks before booking. I booked a month and a half in advance. You can book anytime because all they want are the dates/ period of travel use the jet star site for piece of mind. You cant get a visa on landing will be difficult and you will be fround upon. Airflines will not issue you your boarding pass without a visa printed.

      https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/articles/travel-to-and-fr…

      • Thanks, once I have the e visa and printed, what is the process once I landed? Is there any other fees to pay at the customs?

        • nah wait in line at the immigration counter buy a sim card while waiting boring line then procced to hand passport and visa for stamping at the counter. Keep quiet tho no mucking about the people there have stern faces that is all

    • +1

      Don't delay the visa. We just got back from Vietnam and on the way there my brother-in-law had to pay $550 AUD at the airport for an "instant-Visa" because his online application took too long (there was an error with his first submission). I would allow 1 month.

  • I just came back from a 25-day trip starting 28Dec, spanning HCM - Hoi An - Da Nang - Nha Trang - Ha Noi, with 2 other families (6 adults & 7 kids, all up).

    Being that there were kids, we were excited to get the Netflix going but ran into some "your account does not work at this location" error. You can browse but as soon as you try to watch something then that error pops up. Other people's US accounts (which they'd forgotten to logout of from the hotel's TVs) worked but why not the Aussie ones - or rather my Turkiye one running from Oz address. I was going to do a "sign out of all devices" but stopped short of that because my buddy who has a 1-screen full-paying Oz subscription also had the same error.

    Our new-city excitement turned into, "does the tv have a working netflix account?".

    Do the visa as soon as you can to avoid processing delays… got mine done on 25Nov (via that xuatnhapcanh url, as directed from the vietnamembassy website). Came out to $39.40 each, per that day's rates via 28Degrees.

    I'd recommend to try the HaiDiLao dining if in Nha Trang because we've done it in Sydney and the experience of the high customer service and attentiveness, and food quality, is the same but at 1/3 the price. I'm glad we listened to the suggestion of one of the kids to try eating there.

    • Did you try 4 P pizza, so good even better then my trip to Italy lol

    • We didn't try 4 P pizza, no. I think I recall seeing them somewhere - Da Nang maybe? - but I guess we steered clear of western food outlets for a while. But, we did have pizza along the beach in Da Nang and then again in Ninh Binh.

      Tried Jollibee (fried chicken) in HCM, and what a disappointment.. so bland.

      My son ended up addicted to the Chin-Su chilli sauce, rating it better than our current faves of HuyFong sriracha and Chiu Chow chili oil. Haven't found the brand back in Sydney yet but I've yet to check out the Cabra shops.

      • I saw Chin-su at Woolworths…

  • What were your thoughts on Phu Quoc? Thinking of going there in October (with kids 8, 5). I would prefer to go to Hoi An / Da Nang but I believe it's typhoon season
    Cheers

Login or Join to leave a comment