Travel Guide to Vietnam for First-Time Visitors

Transportation in Vietnam

Public Transport

Vietnam has many ways to get around. In big cities like Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, you can use buses, taxis, or motorbike taxis (called “xe om”). For long trips, consider buses or trains.

Air Transport

For longer distances between major cities like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, flying is the fastest way. Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways and VietJet Air offer domestic flights (I recommend using flight service in this order); Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc route has another airline option is Vietravel Airline. There are only 2 islands in Vietnam that you can access by plane: Phu Quoc Island and Con Dao Island.

Ferries

Ferries are available to all islands around Vietnam, such as Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Phu Quy, Ly Son, etc

Private Transport

If you want more comfort, you can hire a private car or van, especially if you travel with family. Apps like Grab (similar to Uber) are very helpful for booking rides. Grab offers competitive prices. It is also safer and more convenient than negotiating with local taxis.

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Phone Network & Internet

SIM Cards and Data Plans

When you arrive in Vietnam, it’s easy to buy a local SIM card at the airport or in the city. Companies like Viettel, Mobifone or Vinaphone have good coverage and affordable data plans.

You can also consider getting eSim for a data plan (receive QR code activation via email). However, not all phone models are eSim supported. You can find this service on Klook.com

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, restaurants, and cafes, but having mobile data is useful when you’re on the move.

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Money Exchange & Payments

Currency

The currency of Vietnam is Vietnamese Dong (VND or “đ”).

The newest update for the exchange rate is: 1 USD ~ 25,800 VND (May 2025 updated). The best exchange rates in Vietnam are Jewelry stores > Banks > Airport currency exchange counter and ATM. 

I’d advise you to exchange some at the airport for transportation and food, then exchange more at jewelry stores (any time of the day) or banks (during working hours 7:30- 11:00, 13:30-17:00).

Credit Cards

In bigger cities, many hotels, restaurants, modern convenience stores and shopping malls accept credit cards. It is good if you can ask the seller before you buy or use the service if they take credit cards and what exchange rate they will use.

In case you do not like using cash, you should still exchange a little because Vietnamese still prefer using cash, especially in small towns.

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Useful Apps for Your Trip in Vietnam

• Grab, Be, Xanh SM – similar to Uber. Book rides easily with these apps. Be is much less common outside of big cities. 
• Google Translate – handy for communication as English is not spoken everywhere.
• Google Maps – good for navigation, and finding local services.
• Maps.me – a great app for offline maps, especially in rural areas.
• Klook – helpful for traveling and booking tickets for tours, activities, etc.
• Traveloka – good for searching for domestic flights & hotels.
• Booking, Agoda – good for searching for hotels.
• Currency Converter Calculator – helpful for a quick conversion of currency before purchase.
• Vexere.com – helpful for booking buses, trains or renting cars, motorbikes.
• Duolingo – handy for picking up and practicing some Vietnamese.

Weather in Vietnam

Vietnam has three different climate zones so the weather can vary. 

South Vietnam

There are two main seasons in the south: wet and dry. The dry season is from December to May, and during this time, temperatures can go up to 38°C. Many locals wear long sleeves and cover themselves to avoid sunburn, so it’s a good idea to use sun cream if you wear short sleeves.
The wet season is from May to November. It rains almost every day. Towards the end of the rainy season, especially near the coast, storms are common, and sometimes ferries are canceled.

Central Vietnam

Central Vietnam also has two seasons, like the south, but the weather here can be more extreme. The dry season is hotter, and the wet season is wetter. Stronger storms and floods happen towards the end of the wet season, around October and November. The rainy season starts a month later than in the south, so you might still see rain in December.

North Vietnam

The north has four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter). In summer, temperatures can go up to 38°C, while in winter, it can drop to 13°C or even lower in high areas like Sapa.

What to Pack

Light clothing is fine for most of the year, but if you go north during winter, bring some warmer layers.

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Cultural Considerations

Not all cultural mistakes are the same everywhere. Some people might not care much about what you do, while others might be very upset. With that said, here are some cultural things to keep in mind while you travel here:

• When visiting pagoda, make sure to cover your legs and shoulders, and always take off your hat and shoes before entering. It’s also polite to stay quiet in these sacred places.
• When visiting someone’s home, it’s common to take off your shoes at the door. This is not as strict as pagodas, but it’s good to remember.
• Try not to touch people’s heads, especially if they are older than you. Some believe the head is very special, and touching it is seen as disrespectful. It’s better to avoid touching children’s heads too, just to be safe.
• Don’t point at people with your index finger. Pointing at objects is okay, but pointing at people is seen as rude
• Don’t leave your chopsticks sticking upright in a bowl of rice. This looks like incense for the dead and is connected with death. Even if people don’t believe in this, they might still find it strange.
• Talking about the Vietnamese government can be sensitive. Many people are patriotic, and criticizing the Communist government can make people uncomfortable. It’s best to avoid this topic in public.
• People in Vietnam are friendly, but it’s important to show respect, especially to elders.
• Age is important in Vietnam. In the Vietnamese language, different words are used for older and younger people, so it’s normal for people to ask your age to know how to address you. Don’t feel offended if someone asks how old you are!

Vietnam is a wonderful destination for couples and families, offering a mix of culture, adventure, and relaxation. With this guide, I hope you’ll be ready to navigate transportation, stay connected, handle money, and respect the local culture. Enjoy your trip to Vietnam!