Vietnam is an incredible country to visit, with stunning scenery, unique culture and some remote hidden gems that will feel like another world. If you’re visiting Vietnam and you want to discover some of the more remote areas, these five travel tips are worth a read!
1) Take your time
Vietnam is a large country, and in order to really experience it, try not to rush. If you have a strict travel itinerary, you might miss out. On the other hand, you might fall in love with somewhere and want to stay longer than your tour permits. Look at where you really want to visit, read about other travellers’ experiences and give yourself some extra time to explore and enjoy. If you want to explore the country from North to South, it is advised to take at least three weeks to properly experience Vietnam.
2) Figure out food
If you’re in a remote area of Vietnam, there probably isn’t going to be a McDonalds around the corner but Vietnamese cuisine is incredible. You will find some delicious dishes and local delicacies as you travel and in order to figure out what you want to order, it’s worth learning a bit about Vietnamese food.
Pho is a Vietnamese staple, listed at number one on The Secret Traveller’s list of foods worth traveling the world for. This meat and noodle soup is always a good choice, but there are so many more dishes to try as well. Bun Cha is a great pork dish, Cha Ca is a buttery white fish dish, and if you’re vegetarian, ‘chay’ is the world you need.
3) Carry plenty of water
Vietnam can get very hot and humid, and staying hydrated when you travel is essential. Tap water in Vietnam is not safe to drink, but bottled water is easily available in shops and hotels. Vietnam is perfect for exploring, especially on foot through mountain villages, rice paddies and stunning national parks. If you are trekking or hiking, make sure you take enough bottled water with you for the whole trip.
4) Get the right travel insurance
Make sure you’re fully prepared for your trip so you can enjoy your visit without worrying. Hopefully, nothing goes wrong as you discover the incredible culture of Vietnam, but just in case something does, proper travel insurance is essential. If you are doing specific excursions or activities as part of your tour, make sure your travel insurance covers those too!
5) Be happy to haggle
In Vietnam, haggling is totally acceptable, and it can even be a fun and entertaining encounter. Try and get an understanding of what the general prices are, so you don’t get ripped off! A good way to do this is to look into one of the more expensive stores and notice prices. Then, it’s time to be brave and explore the local markets full of Vietnamese treasures. Be polite, friendly and ask for a reasonable price. If the vendor isn’t happy with what you offer, there will be plenty of other opportunities to buy things, just expect to add some time onto your shopping for bargaining!
