Vietnam Travel Guide!

Xin Chao!! Vietnam is a place full of colors, beautiful landscapes, delicious cuisine, nature and lots more. Let's say its a perfect amalgamation of tradition with modernity. It’s a country where the buzz of city life and the peace of nature live side by side. There's an energy, a vibe in Vietnam that's hard to describe but absolutely impossible to ignore.

Once you visit there, this country is going to leave a lasting impression on your soul. With that thought, let's indulge in the travel tips before you visit this magical country.

Check for Visa eligibility

Before making any bookings or going about the pre - trip checklists, do check the entry requirements for the country you belong to. We were required to either get an E - visa or get a visa on arrival. We chose to apply online and get E - visa. It took 4 - 5 business days for the visa to arrive and the application form is easily available on their website. The form is also not too complex and its easy to submit. They charge a nominal fee depending on single entry and multiple entry visa. The website also includes the port and entry requirements for all the countries and you can check that as well. The website is https://evisa.gov.vn/

Don't go for a local sim at the airport

We landed at Ho Chi Minh airport and once we were done with immigration and baggage, near the exit gates we saw the local network operators selling the plans. We went ahead and enquired about the packages. We specifically wanted Viettel network and that's exactly what we had told them. However, we were given MobiFone sims at the price of Viettel (which we realized later). Also, Viettel has better connectivity than MobiFone, especially on mountains and remote areas. The packages were also costlier than the ones available in local markets. Quick tip; once you get the sim activated, check the operator message you receive carefully and see for validity. I had asked for a month's validity but was given 20 days one initially and on pointing it out, they gave me a revised plan.

Must have Applications/Platforms in Vietnam

When in Vietnam, you should download certain applications beforehand to avoid struggles at the airport and in the cities. When it comes to apps, Grab is the king there. Grab is a go to app for cabs, food delivery, grocery and last minute essentials. The application has translation options, easy payment gateway and good options in restaurants and cabs (bike, hatchback, SUV, MUV, etc.). Klook is a platform that offers a wide variety of activities, tours, attractions and experiences. It allows users to book things like sightseeing trips, hotel accommodations, cultural experiences and more. So, with these two handy, you will be good in Vietnam!

Cash is Queen!!

Cards payments are now catching up in Vietnam but cash transactions are still the most favored ones. There are certain establishments that also charge a 2% - 3% fee for card transactions. The currency of Vietnam is Vietnamese Dong and there are lots of zeros for you to keep counting.

Pack Smart!

Vietnam is a country with nearly all weathers, depending which place you're at and at what time of the year. But its better to pack light, flowy, summery clothes along with water resistant jackets and super comfortable footwear (because, too much walking while exploring). Raincoats and umbrellas are a must, do not absolutely miss this one. If you are travelling to Sa Pa or the mountains up north, do keep a light puffer jacket which is water resistant as well and you should be good.

This was my take on the tips for a fab trip to Vietnam. If you have more Vietnam questions or stories, drop them in the comments or dm me @livingtheshriyaway

Love,

Shriya!