Tips for travelers in Vietnam

1. SORT OUT YOUR VISA

This first thing can be easily done for you online with the most suitable cost. Here are several steps for your visa application online:
- Visit our website https://applyvietnamvisa.org/
- Fill out your visa options and contact information and pay (get free 24/7 support if you need)
- Wait 1-2 working days (normal service) for your approval letter on email
- Rest assured to pack the preapproval letter, 2 photos, passport, the entry/exit form and cash to hand them over to the officers as you land in Vietnam.

2. CONSIDER HOW LONG YOU WILL STAY

Vietnam has 3 main regions - NORTH, CENTRAL, and SOUTH –with a coastal plain and 1,400 mile coastline on the east side of the country along the East Sea. You should consider staying at least a week in each region .If you want to go full from North to South, allow at least 3 weeks for better experience or else, you will be rushing.

3. WEATHER VARIES A LOT

Vietnam’s climate is tropical in the South with a hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to April – this is the best time to visit). It’s monsoonal in the North with cold dry winter (November or December to March) and hot wet summer (May to July). When the weather is dry, road travel is easier but the countryside is often brown and dusty. It is extremely hot in the Central between January and August.

That is, you can experience the coldness in the North but cool in the South (December to March). It can be snowing in Sapa and sunny in Phu Quoc. Don’t bother to bring much clothes with you, you can enjoy buying suitable clothes, sandals, or sneakers in the market (bargainable) or in local shops for local people with reasonable price tags.

4. TRY TOP STREET FOOD

Street food is at the heart of Vietnam’s culture, with vendors selling local cuisine on almost every corner in cities. Top street eats to try are pho (a type of rice noodle soup) and Vietnamese spring rolls known as CHA RAM (called by Northern people) or CHA RAM (called by Southern people). Other Vietnam’s best food include bun cha (grilled pork and noodles - It's what Obama ate during his night out with Bourdain), xoi (sticky rice), banh xeo (kind of pancake with sauce), bun bo Hue, mi Quang (in the Central of Vietnam), and banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich). You can get takeaways or pull up a stool by the roadside and dine like a local.

5. TRY PLENTY OF ACTIVITIES

If there’s one thing you can guarantee is that you won’t be bored in Vietnam. This country is packed with diverse landscapes, each of which offers a fantastic array of activities.

Whereas the lush mountains and terraced rice fields of Sapa make for excellent trekking, scenic Halong Bay offers cruises, kayaking and caving. Head to Nha Trang or Phu Quoc to relax by the beach or stick to the cities to see a traditional water puppet show or take a Vietnamese cooking class.

5. GET AROUND EFFICIENTLY

Here’s our guide to getting around Vietnam.

Long distance

Flights: Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar, VietJetAir and VASCO operate domestic flights, with Vietnam Airlines covering the largest number of destinations. Jetstar and VietJetAir offer low cost air tickets.

Trains: Vietnam is served by 1,600 miles of rails, running from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Among its many stops are popular tourist areas like Sapa, Hanoi, Hue, Danang and Nha Trang. Check 5 star trains here (link).
Buses: The best bus options for tourists are the privately operated buses usually referred to as “open tour” buses. It’s possible to buy an “open” ticket to get on and off along the Hanoi-Saigon route that most of these vehicles travel — though it’s best to keep your options flexible by simply purchasing individual tickets as you go, for not much difference in price. You can take overnight buses with free wifi and beds.
Boats: Once in Vietnam, you’re most likely to visit Halong Bay and islands. Day trips and overnight excursions are possible with a full range of ships, from bare-bones to luxurious. Research your choice of boat carefully, or work with a reputable travel company.

Short distance

Motorcycles, Motorbikes or Scooters: it’s possible to rent a motorbike or scooter in most major cities. Check out the bike very carefully before you take off, and remember to wear the helmet.

Local Transportation: Cyclos and xe om- motorbike taxies, are available in many towns. Drivers have a tendency to ask for outrageous sums. Negotiate and settle on a price for your destination before climbing aboard.
Taxis: are available in major cities, though drivers may be reluctant to use meters — and some meters are tampered with to rack up charges faster than they should. We should check the distance in advance by Google Maps. Look for a reliable company, like Mai Linh or Vinasun, to avoid shenanigans.

Grab/Uber (recommended): these apps are seamless options to move around. No scams and fair prices.
Public buses: can take you to several touristic areas which route is shown on Google Maps. It is surprisingly cheap and you can enjoy the air conditioner after a long walk on the streets.

6. KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR VALUABLE

Although Vietnam is a safe country to visit, we still cannot discount the fact that there are still pickpockets and thieves roaming around here. You can wear lightweight backpacks or strap crossbody bags when going around the city and don’t keep using your mobile phones while on the street.
To sum up, Vietnam is a popular destination for tourists in general and for solo travelers in particular because of its charm and affordability. Be sure to plan up your trip carefully, try those recommended food and activities, and remember all safety tips, you will have an enjoyable journey.