Things No One Told You About Traveling to Vietnam
If you are looking for unique experiences, epic adventures, ancient historical sights and mouthwatering local foods, Vietnam is the best destination for you.
The country is now fast becoming one of Asia’s top travel destinations and it’s easy to see why. Traveling to Vietnam gives you an exciting opportunity to get off the beaten path, from venturing into the scenic mountain towns in the north to the stunning unspoilt beaches in the south.
If you’re traveling to Vietnam soon, it’s important that you get yourself acquainted with the country. Sure, you probably know what places to see and which foods to eat, but there’s a whole lot more to know about Vietnam than these. So here are some of the things that no one has ever told you about traveling to Vietnam.
Arriving in Vietnam
Despite what a lot of people thought, Vietnam is actually an easily accessible country. In fact, some of the world’s major airlines have flights to the country, although Vietnam Airlines tend to have the best deals for flying directly to the city of Ho Chi Minh. If you’re coming from the neighboring countries in Asia, such as Cambodia and Thailand, there are cheap long distance bus services that you can take advantage. Border crossings are pretty straightforward for as long as you have the right visa.
Flying into Saigon’s airport is often cheaper unlike when you fly at Hanoi’s airport. Almost 75% of all the international flights in Vietnam are coming in and out of the airport in Saigon, the Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
If you want to cover the entire country, you can start from south to north. You can travel by bus, train or in a plane. The overland trip from Saigon to Hanoi is a lengthy one, but taking the Reunification Express train is comfortable and allows you to enjoy the scenic countryside views.
Best Time To Go
The weather in Vietnam varies greatly from North to South. You can visit Vietnam anytime you want, but the weather will play a huge factor if you plan on doing outdoor activities such as trekking.
Between the months of November and April, the country is generally dry. The weather temperature in April can be scorching just before the monsoon rain starts to cool things off. It is during the months of January and February that the temperature in Vietnam is generally milder.
Money in Vietnam
The official currency of the country is Vietnamese dong although US dollars are widely accepted. There are plenty of ATMs all over the place, which dispenses local currency. Credit cards are accepted at luxury hotels and shopping malls, but expect to be charge a certain fee when using your card.
Accommodation in Vietnam
You’ll have plenty of options when it comes to your accommodation in Vietnam, from backpacker’s hostels to a full-service luxury hotel. Depending on the type of traveller that you are, you can choose to stay at the budget hotels or at 5-star hotels.
You will notice that most of the hotels in Vietnam are long and narrow. The reason behind is to avoid paying a hefty tax, which is often based on the amount of land that the building occupies. In fact, even the simplest budget hotel in Vietnam can span up to six floors and even more! If you’re someone who has difficulty in climbing stairs and you’re staying at a budget hotel with no elevator, consider requesting a room that’s located at the ground floor.
Take Your Visa Very Seriously
Despite the fact that Vietnam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, it’s unfortunate to know that a lot of tourists are not really aware of the country’s visa rules. In fact, so many tourists are getting turned away at the airport everyday due to visa misinformation. To avoid these problems, check out https://www.visa-vietnam.org/ to learn about Vietnam’s visa regulations for your country.
