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.
Watch out for the train.