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Get ready for your trip to Vietnam!

Updated: 10 hours ago


Xin chào! This is Dung (Emma) again 👋 After hosting many guests from all over the world, we wrote this guide to share honest, practical, and local tips so you can travel more comfortably, enjoyably, and memorably - not only during your time with us but throughout your entire journey in Vietnam.


1. If Hanoi Is Your First Stop, Please Take It Slow

If Hanoi is your first destination in Vietnam, we strongly recommend that you take it easy for at least half a day after arrival, especially if you’re flying long-haul.

Even if you feel “okay” at the airport, your body is still catching up - new time zone, heat, humidity, traffic, sounds, and smells.


Instead of packing your first day with activities, we suggest:

  • Check in, shower, nap

  • Take a short walk around your hotel/homestay area

  • Eat something light and familiar if needed and listen to your body

Please don’t try to fit too many activities, tours on your first day. Save them for the second day, and enjoy them one by one. Your body will thank you - and you’ll enjoy everything much more.

We’ve written a separate blog about how to eat safely while traveling in Vietnam. You can find the link here.


2. What to Pack for Vietnam

Clothes

  • Pack light, breathable clothes

  • It’s good to wear layers, as early mornings and evenings can be cooler

  • If you plan to visit mountainous areas like Sapa, Da Lat or Ha Giang, bring a jacket - even in summer, nights can be cold


Vietnam Weather (Very General)

  • Spring (February – April): Mild temperatures (around 23−28∘C) with light drizzle and high humidity.

  • Summer (May – August): Hot, humid, and rainy, with temperatures between

    30−38∘C). The region experiences frequent afternoon thunderstorms and, occasionally, typhoons, particularly in coastal areas.

  • Autumn (September – November): Known as the most beautiful season, with cool, dry, and pleasant weather. Temperatures range from 22−28∘C, featuring clear skies, making it ideal for visiting Hanoi.

  • Winter (December – January): Cold and damp, with temperatures often dropping to 10−20∘C), and potentially nearing freezing in the northern mountains (e.g., Sapa).


Other Essentials

  • A light raincoat or small umbrella (or buy one in Vietnam — cheap and easy)

  • A scarf to cover your shoulders when visiting temples or pagodas

    • Shoulders covered

    • Pants/skirts at least to the knee

    • Avoid tight, transparent, or revealing clothes to show respect

  • Sunscreen, hat/cap

  • Comfortable walking shoes (you will walk a lot)

  • Refillable water bottle

  • Masks (useful for traffic or pollution)

  • Basic medicines: headache, stomach, flu, etc.



3. SIM Cards & Internet

eSIM

eSIMs are great because:

  • You can buy and install them before arriving

  • No physical SIM swapping

  • Quick and easy at the airport

However signal can be weaker in rural areas, mountains, or remote regions. eSIMs are ideal if you’re mostly staying in big cities.


Physical SIM

Physical SIM cards usually offer:

  • More stable coverage, especially outside cities

  • Better performance in rural or mountainous areas

Common providers: Viettel (best overall coverage, especially rural), Vinaphone, Mobifone

Things to know:

  • Can be bought at the airport or in the city (airport has free Wi-Fi)

  • You’ll usually need your passport to buy one

  • Check data limits carefully before purchasing


If you’re going to Sapa, Ha Giang, or remote areas, a physical SIM is usually better.


4. Payment & Money in Vietnam

Cash Is Still King

Cash is the most common payment method in Vietnam. You can exchange money at licensed exchange shops, such as jewelry shops on Hang Bac Street, gold shops on Ha Trung Street.


Please note: From 2026, regulations on foreign currency exchange are stricter, so there are fewer exchange places, and you may need to queue.


Important Notes When Bringing Cash:

  • Bring large denominations

  • Notes should be new and clean

  • Old, torn, wrinkled notes or notes with ink marks may not be accepted

  • Small denominations usually get a worse exchange rate.


ATM Withdrawals

In Vietnam, the best banks for fee-free or low-fee cash withdrawals for foreigners are typically VPBank and TPBank, which often offer 0 VND fees for ATM transactions, particularly for cardholders from specific international banks. Most other local ATMs charge a fee between 20,000 - 55,000 VND (~$0.80–$2.20) per transaction, with withdrawal limits typically ranging from 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 VND.


Notes: Sometimes ATMs run out of cash or have technical issues so always keep some cash as backup


Online Payments & Transfers

Some reliable international apps:

  • Wise

  • Revolut (depending on country)

These apps are helpful for transfers and card payments.


5. Some Useful Vietnamese Words

Basic phrases:

  • Xin chào – Hello

  • Cảm ơn – Thank you

  • Vâng / Dạ – Yes (polite)

  • Không – No

  • Bao nhiêu tiền? – How much is it?

  • Rất ngon! – Very delicious


Useful Food-Related Words

  • Không cay – not spicy

  • Ít cay – a little spicy

  • Cay nhiều – very spicy

  • Chay (có thể ăn trứng, sữa, mật ong) - Vegetarian (able to eat eggs, dairy products, honey)

  • Thuần chay (không ăn trứng, sữa, mật ong) - vegan (no eggs, dairy products, honey)

  • Không/dị ứng lúa mì, lúa mạch - Gluten-free (Celiac disease)

  • Bún – rice vermicelli

  • Miến – glass noodles

  • Phở – pho noodles (flat rice noodles)

  • Bò – beef

  • Gà – chicken

  • Lợn / Heo – pork

  • Cá – fish

  • Trứng – egg

  • Sữa – milk

  • Cơm – rice

Don’t worry about pronunciation - effort matters more than perfection.


6. Useful Apps in Vietnam

Transportation

  • Xanh SM – electric cars, new, polite drivers

  • Grab

  • Be


Food Delivery

  • HappyCow – vegetarian/vegan food

  • GrabFood

  • ShopeeFood

  • BeFood


Others




Feel free to let us know if you need any help


If you need an airport transfer, private car with baby seats or English speaking driver, just let us know so we can arrange it properly.


If you need help exchanging money, please tell us in advance. During the tour, our guide can take you to a trusted place to exchange money.


If you need other support before arrival and advice during your stay, please feel free to contact us via WhatsApp (text) from 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Vietnam time). Outside these hours, replies may be slower as it’s night time, but we’ll always try our best to support you.


Safe travels - and we can’t wait to meet you in Hanoi. We’re excited to share our favorite flavors, corners, stories, and everyday life with you - and to create truly unforgettable memories together.


Warmly,

Dung (Emma)

Beyond Vietnam

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