subpage

Blog

Ultimate Travel Guide to Vietnam 2020 - Explore Real Asia

Ultimate Travel Guide to Vietnam 2020 - Explore Real Asia

September 18, 2020

In Vietnam, there is a lot of potential to attract and develop tourism. From beautiful landscapes, to architecture, historical sites, cuisine, culture, customs, to gentle people and hospitable, all are worthy to preserve, promote and develop in tourism, attracting many tourists to visit and learn. 


Is it safe to travel in Vietnam?

As a matter of fact,  there are no official votes for the safety of traveling in Vietnam. However, according to the tourists on the traveling forum such as tripadvisor.com, approximately 95% of the answer is positive. People evaluated Vietnam as one of the safest countries in the world for tourism. Tourists say that Vietnam is very safe, except for the road where you need to watch the vehicles coming from all directions. Here is one answer from user manatdollar on tripadvisor.com.


“Vietnam is extremely safe, apart from the major danger which is the road.


Aside from that, common sense will keep you safe. Don't take valuables with you. Keep them safe. Don't get drunk. Don't gamble. Don't get into arguments with locals. Don't go off with your new 'friend'. Don't fiddle with that loose electrical socket after getting out of the shower. Know where the exit route is. Don't get into a cyclo. Don't take a taxi from outside a tourist attraction. Don't do drugs. Wear a condom if you are involved in any activity where it wouldn't look out of place.”



In general, Vietnam is friendly and safe for tourists. However, in every country, there is always the darkside and the dangers that tourists should pay attention to. For your safety, we have some notice about DOs and DONTs for you so that you will have a wonderful and memorable trip in Vietnam. (Source: myvietnamvisa.com)

DOS


  • Greetings are no different to western countries, there are no cultural formalities that as a foreigner you would be expected to know or practice.
  • Vietnamese dress conservatively. Despite the heat, it’s best not to show off too much skin. If you do, especially girls, you’ll only draw stares from the locals.
  • Dress well when visiting pagodas. No shorts or tatty beer t-shirts. Shoes are fine, and rarely will you have to remove them. If unsure, just follow what the locals do.
  • Drink plenty of bottled water, especially when walking around sightseeing. No need to carry huge bottles around with you, a vendor is never far away and no doubt they will find you before you find them.
  • Keep your cash, credit cards, airline tickets and other valuables in a safe place.
  • Travel with recommended tour agencies. Even if you plan to buy tickets when in the country, research your journey a little first on the Internet. A good resource is Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree Forum, where fellow tourists discuss travel in Vietnam. This way you avoid unreliable tour agencies and badly run hotels.

DONTS


  • Wear a lot of jewellery or take a bag with you. Violent crime is highly unusual in Vietnam, but petty crime is more apparent. If you have a bag, or tout a digital camera around your neck, you are a potential target.
  • When taking a ride by motorbike taxi (xe om) make sure your bag, if any, is not on display or easy to grab. Bag snatches, although still rare, are probably the most likely crime a tourist would encounter, and it raises the probability immensely if you are tailing a camera or a laptop in the wind.
  • Don’t wear singlets, shorts, skirts or dresses, or revealing clothes to temples or pagodas.
  • Physical displays of affection between lovers in public are frowned upon. That’s why you may come across couples holding hands but not hugging or kissing.
  • Losing your temper in Vietnam means a loss of face. Keep a cool head and remain polite, you’ll have a greater chance of getting what you want.
  • Remember, this is Vietnam, a developing country, and things don’t quite work as you are maybe used to. Don’t be paranoid about your safety, just be aware of your surroundings.

Vietnam during Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Here is the detailed information about the statistics of Vietnam during the Coronavirus, updated 09/18/2020. (Source: https://ncov.moh.gov.vn)


Vietnam

Confirmed Infection

1,066

Being Treated

88

Recovered Cases

940

Deaths

35

World

Confirmed Infection

30,333,918

Being Treated

7,360,216

Recovered Cases

22,023,563

Deaths

950,139


During the Coronavirus, the Vietnam government has done its best to minimize the effect of this deadly virus on the people. The world looked to Vietnam as a successful example in handling the novel coronavirus outbreak. Besides, the newspaper and media all over the world has had articles to praise Vietnam for its amazing methods of controlling the Coronavirus. Below are the actions  recommended by the Vietnam government to prevent ourselves from Coronavirus. (Source: https://vietnam.travel)


On 09/18, no new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded, so now it has entered the 16th day of Vietnam not having recorded cases in the community. More than 31,000 people are quarantined against the epidemic. Vietnam's airlines have planned to re-launch many international routes. This is a sign for the strong comeback of tourism in Vietnam in the near future. As the government’s strict method has successfully controlled the Coronavirus outbreak, tourists to Vietnam can feel secure and have a wonderful trip here. Remember to wear masks and clean your hands regularly when being outside, then you will be free to enjoy yourself !

How long should I travel to Vietnam?

Recommended length of stay for each destination in your itinerary 

1. Hanoi (2-week trip: 2-3 days, 4-week trip: 4-5 days)



2. Sapa (2-week trip: 1-2 days, 4-week trip: 2-3 days)



3. Haiphong, Ha Long Bay (1-2 days), Cat Ba Island (3-4 days)


 


4. Phong Nha (2-week trip: 2-3 days, 4-week trip: 4-5 days)

 

5. Hue (2-week trip: 1-2 days, 4-week trip: 2-3 days)



6. Hoi An (2-week trip: 2-3 days, 4-week trip: 4-5 days)




7. Da Lat (2-week trip: 1-2 days, 4-week trip: 2-3 days)



 

8. Mekong Delta (1-2 days)


 


9. Nha Trang (2-week trip: 2-3 days, 4-week trip: 4-5 days)




10. Saigon (2-week trip: 2-3 days, 4-week trip: 4-5 days)




11. Phu Quoc (depends on your love for beaches)




How much money do I need to travel in Vietnam?

(Source: travelhappy.info)


Vietnam is one of Asia’s fastest growing countries, and as a result, the cost of visiting is going up every year. Despite this, it’s still possible to travel in Vietnam on a backpacker’s budget of $40 or less per day, or enjoy a more comfortable trip for $60 to $100 per day.


For a five-star experience in Vietnam, it’s best to budget $200 or more per day – roughly the same amount as you’d spend in nearby countries like Thailand.


Daily Budget for Vietnam

  • Although Vietnam is getting more expensive every year, it’s still a cheap country to visit. Costs are comparable to Thailand and other nearby countries like Cambodia, although like with any country, certain things are either cheaper or more expensive in Vietnam than elsewhere.
  • As a general rule, you’ll be able to travel around Vietnam as a backpack on a budget of $40 to $50 per day. However, your luxuries will be limited and you’ll spend more of your time eating at local restaurants instead of Western cafés and eateries.
  • For a more comfortable backpacker experience in Vietnam, it’s best to budget around $50 per day. This way, you’ll have more money to spend on things like food, drinks, activities and hotel rooms.
  • For a comfortable mid-range experience in Vietnam, it’s best to budget $60 to $100 per day for your entire costs. This gives you enough to pay for a comfortable three to four star hotel room, eat in mid-range to high-end restaurants and visit most activities and attractions.
  • For a five-star experience in Vietnam, expect to pay $150 per day at the bare minimum (you’ll spend about $75-$100 for your hotel room, at the very least) or $200+ if you plan on dining out often and staying in a very luxurious hotel.

Which type of adapter for traveling in Vietnam?

Since your electronic devices are getting more and more important for people, it is necessary to prepare for charging. Especially for tourists who love to travel on their own, the electronic devices with Internet access like smartphones or laptops are even more crucial.


You will need to consider what to pack, to ensure you can use your personal electrical appliances safely whilst abroad. This normally includes the use of a travel adaptor, which is a device that simply allows you to plug any UK electrical appliance into a foreign electrical socket. It is important to note that it does not convert the voltage or frequency. Vietnam operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz. 


For Vietnam there are three associated plug types, types A, C and F.



Plug type A is the plug which has two flat parallel pins 




Plug type C is the plug with two round pins




Plug type F has two round pins with two earth clips on the side


Best places to visit in Vietnam

For detailed information about the most attractive destination in Vietnam, please refer to our article 15 Amazing Destinations in Vietnam - A Journey through Vietnam.