Practical Info A-Z

Pharmacies (Nhà Thuốc) are on every corner in Vietnam — often without prescription requirements. Many medications that require a prescription in Germany are available over-the-counter here (antibiotics, painkillers, malaria prophylaxis). But be cautious: Counterfeits are a problem, especially in small, unlicensed shops.

• Recommendation: Bring basic supplies from home (Imodium, electrolytes, sunscreen, insect repellent, personal medications). For everything else: Pharmacies near large hospitals are the most reliable.
• Travel Pharmacy: Diarrhea medication (this WILL happen), charcoal tablets, paracetamol, antihistamines, disinfectant spray, band-aids, sunscreen SPF 50+, DEET insect spray.

In an emergency, the German-speaking representations are reachable:

• German Embassy Hanoi: 29 Trần Phú, Ba Đình, Hanoi. Tel: +84 24 3845 3836
• German Consulate General HCMC: 126 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, District 3. Tel: +84 28 3829 1967
• Austrian Embassy Hanoi: Trung Hòa Nhân Chính, Thanh Xuân. Tel: +84 24 3943 3050
• Swiss Embassy Hanoi: Hanoi Central Office Building, 44B Lý Thường Kiệt. Tel: +84 24 3934 6589

Emergency numbers: Police 113, Fire Department 114, Ambulance 115. English is rarely spoken on the phone — in an emergency, ask the hotel or a Vietnamese person for help.

Vietnam uses 220V / 50Hz. The sockets are a mix of:

• Type A: Two flat pins (American) — most common
• Type C: Two round pins (European) — usually works without an adapter
• Type G: Three rectangular pins (British) — in newer hotels

Many sockets in hotels accept both Type A and Type C. A universal adapter is still recommended. USB chargers work worldwide.

Bargaining is part of everyday life in Vietnam — at markets, with street vendors, for taxi and boat rides (without meters), and for many services. Not bargaining means paying the "tourist price", which is often 2–5× higher than the local price.

The Golden Rules

1. Smile! Bargaining in Vietnam is a friendly game, not a fight. Whoever gets angry loses — in every sense.
2. Start at 40–50% of the quoted price. The seller starts high, you start low, you meet in the middle.
3. The "Walk-away": If you walk away, the seller often calls out your last price. If not — your price was too low.
4. Compare! Go to 2–3 stalls and ask for the price before you buy. This gives you a sense of the real value.
5. Don't push below the purchase price. Remember: The seller has to live off it. A fair price is one where both are satisfied.

Where to Bargain?

Grab is the most important app for travelers in Vietnam — an Uber clone that can do it all: taxi, motorbike taxi, food delivery, and even packages. Without Grab, you're lost in Vietnam.

The Grab Services

How it Works

1. Install the app (before the trip!) and register with your phone number
2. Enter destination — the app shows the fixed price, no bargaining needed
3. Driver comes to you — real-time GPS tracking
4. Payment: Cash (recommended) or credit card. Tips are not expected.

GoJek (Gojek Vietnam)

The Indonesian alternative to Grab, known as GoJek in Vietnam. Slightly cheaper prices, but a smaller driver network. Worth it as a backup if Grab has no drivers available.

Why Grab is Better than Taxis

• Fixed price: No manipulated meter, no bargaining, no scams
• GPS: The driver knows the way, no "detours"
• Rating: Bad drivers are weeded out
• Receipt: Via email, for complaints

The currency is the Vietnamese Đồng (VND). Exchange rate (approx.): 1€ ≈ 27,000 VND. The zeros can be confusing at first — you'll quickly become a "millionaire".

Banknotes

There are notes from 1,000 to 500,000 VND. All feature Ho Chi Minh. The most important ones:

• 500,000 VND (≈ 18.50€): The largest note — pink/purple. Be careful with change, often confused with the 20,000 note!
• 200,000 VND (≈ 7.40€): Green. Most frequently dispensed from ATMs.
• 100,000 VND (≈ 3.70€): Green. The everyday note.
• 50,000 VND (≈ 1.85€): Light blue/turquoise.
• 20,000 VND (≈ 0.74€): Blue. WARNING: Looks similar to the 500,000 note!
• 10,000 VND (≈ 0.37€): Brown. For tips and small purchases.

Withdrawing Money (ATM)

• ATMs are everywhere in cities, even in smaller towns. Less common in rural areas — take enough cash with you in advance.
• Fees: Most Vietnamese banks charge 20,000–50,000 VND (0.74–1.85€) per withdrawal. Plus, your German bank's fee.
• Maximum amount: Usually 2,000,000–5,000,000 VND per withdrawal. VietinBank and BIDV allow up to 10,000,000 VND.
• Recommendation: A credit card with free foreign withdrawals (DKB, Barclays, C24) saves a lot. Visa is more widely accepted than Mastercard.

Card Payment

In upscale hotels, large restaurants, and modern shops, credit cards are accepted. Otherwise: Cash is King. At markets, street food stalls, for Grab payments on-site, and at small hotels, cash is used. Always have enough cash in various denominations!

Vietnam is a tropical country — some health precautions are important, but panic is unnecessary. Millions of tourists travel through Vietnam every year without problems.

Recommended Vaccinations

Common Health Risks

• Diarrhea (Traveler's Diarrhea): Affects almost everyone. Do not drink tap water, avoid ice cubes in simple stalls, eat only peeled fruit. Have Imodium and electrolyte solution on hand.
• Dengue Fever: Transmitted by mosquito bites, especially in the rainy season. No vaccine available — mosquito protection (DEET, long clothing, mosquito nets) is the best prevention.
• Sunstroke/Heatstroke: Underestimated! Drink plenty (3–4 liters/day), wear a hat, avoid midday heat.
• Traffic Accidents: The biggest health risk! → See chapter on traffic.

Hospitals

Medical care in Hanoi and HCMC is good — there are international clinics with English-speaking doctors:

• Hanoi: Vinmec International Hospital, 458 Minh Khai. Tel: +84 24 3974 3556
• HCMC: FV Hospital, 6 Nguyễn Lương Bằng, District 7. Tel: +84 28 5411 3333

Vietnam has surprisingly good internet — faster than in many European countries. WiFi is available in almost every hotel, café, and restaurant. A local SIM card is still recommended for Grab, navigation, and emergencies.

Buying a SIM Card

• At the airport: Immediately after entry at the mobile provider's stand. Registration with passport on-site. From 100,000 VND (≈ 3.70€) for 30 days with 5–10 GB of data.
• Providers: Viettel (largest network, best coverage even in rural areas), Mobifone, Vinaphone. All three are good.
• eSIM: For smartphones with eSIM support: Airalo or Holafly offer Vietnam eSIMs from 5€ for 1 GB. Convenient, but more expensive than local SIM.

VPN

Vietnam censors some websites (critical news sites), but Facebook, Instagram, Google, and WhatsApp work without a VPN. A VPN is still recommended for secure banking and public WiFi. Recommendation: NordVPN or ExpressVPN (install before the trip).

Vietnam's climate is more complicated than any other Southeast Asian country because the country stretches over 1,650 km from north to south — equivalent to the distance from Oslo to Rome. There is no "weather in Vietnam," but rather three completely different climate zones:

Zone 1: North (Hanoi, Halong, Sapa)

Subtropical with four seasons. In winter (Dec–Feb), it can be 10°C cold in Hanoi, even frost in Sapa! Summer (Jun–Aug) is hot and humid with heavy monsoon rains. The best time: October–November (mild, dry, golden rice terraces) and March–April (spring, pleasantly warm).

Zone 2: Central (Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội An)

Tropical monsoon, offset from the rest of the country. The rainy season here is from September to January — when the north and south are dry! October and November can bring torrential rains and even typhoons. Best time: February–August (dry, increasingly hot).

Zone 3: South (HCMC, Mekong, Phú Quốc)

Tropical with rainy and dry seasons. Year-round 28–35°C. Dry season December–April (perfect for traveling). Rainy season May–November with daily showers (usually only 1–2 hours in the afternoon, then sun again).

Special Zone: Highlands (Đà Lạt, Sapa)

Cool and spring-like. Đà Lạt (1,500 m) is 18–25°C year-round — Vietnam's air conditioner. Sapa can get bitterly cold in winter (0–5°C), warm clothing is a must.

Vietnam is tropical-hot, but dress code rules vary:

What to Pack?

• Light, breathable clothing: Cotton or functional fiber. Long sleeves protect against sun and mosquitoes.
• Temple-appropriate clothing: Knees and shoulders covered! Have a light scarf or sarong handy.
• Rain jacket/poncho: A MUST in the rainy season. Essential on a motorcycle. Cheap ponchos are available everywhere for 20,000 VND.
• Warm layer: For Sapa, Ha Giang, Đà Lạt, and air-conditioned buses (which are ICE COLD!).
• Comfortable shoes: Sandals for everyday, sturdy shoes for trekking. Flip-flops for the shower.
• Hat/cap: The sun is relentless, especially in the south.

What to Buy Locally

Vietnam is cheap for shopping — you better buy many things locally:

• Tailored clothing: Hội An! Suit from 80€, dress from 25€, shirt from 15€.
• Rain poncho: 20,000 VND everywhere.
• Sandals: 50,000–100,000 VND at any market.
• Laundry: 1 kg = 20,000–30,000 VND (≈ 1€). Next-day service everywhere.

Vietnam on a motorcycle — there is no more intense way to experience this country. And at the same time, no more dangerous. 45 million motorcycles flood the streets, and the traffic follows no recognizable rules. Nevertheless, the motorcycle is the most popular means of transport for backpackers.

Renting

License & Insurance

• International Driving License: Theoretically mandatory for scooters over 50cc (almost all). Vietnam has recognized the international driving license since 2015 — but ONLY the version applied for at ADAC/ÖAMTC/TCS and based on a Vietnamese translation.
• Travel Insurance: Most travel insurances only pay for motorcycle accidents if you have a valid license. No license = no coverage. This can become life-changingly expensive.
• Police Checks: Rare for tourists, but they do exist. Fine without a license: 800,000–1,200,000 VND (30–45€).

Survival Rules

1. ALWAYS wear a helmet. Always. Even if half of the Vietnamese don't.
2. Drive slowly. 30–40 km/h in the city, 50–60 km/h in the countryside. Speed is the number 1 killer.
3. Drive on the right, overtake on the left. Theoretically. In practice, everyone overtakes everywhere.
4. Horn = "I'm here". The horn is not an aggression tool, but a courtesy. Honking means: "Attention, I'm next to you."
5. Don't drive at night. Many motorcycles drive without lights, potholes are invisible, drunk drivers are common.
6. Rain = Take a break. Vietnamese roads become slippery like soap when it rains. Wait under a canopy until it stops.

Vietnam is fundamentally a very safe travel destination — violent crimes against tourists are extremely rare. The biggest risks are petty crime (pickpocketing), traffic accidents, and various scams specifically targeting tourists.

Pickpocketing & Robbery

• Phone snatching from motorcycles: The most common problem, especially in HCMC. Motorcyclists snatch phones from hands or cut bags. Never hold your phone openly when standing by the roadside!
• Bag on the street side: Always carry backpacks and bags on the building-side shoulder, not towards the street.
• Night markets & crowds: Classic hotspots for pickpockets. Keep wallets in front pockets, valuables in the hotel safe.

Common Scams

General Safety Tips

• Store copies of all documents digitally (passport, visa, insurance). Originals in the hotel safe.
• Divide your money: Don’t keep everything in one place. Distribute cash in different pockets/locations.
• Travel in groups at night: In Saigon’s Bùi Viện district and Hanoi’s Old Quarter, move in groups at night.
• Keep an eye on your drinks: As everywhere in the world — don’t leave drinks unattended.
• Police: 113. Tourist police in Hanoi and HCMC partly speak English. In case of theft: have a police report made for insurance.

Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) is a tonal language with six tones — the same syllable can have six different meanings depending on pitch and intonation. For European ears, this is extremely difficult, and even well-pronounced words are often not understood.

English in Vietnam

In the tourist centers (Hanoi Old Quarter, Hội An, Saigon District 1), many young Vietnamese speak good English. In rural areas and among older people, English proficiency is low. Google Translate (camera function for Vietnamese signs!) is your best friend.

Politeness

Vietnamese people highly appreciate when foreigners try a few words in Vietnamese — even if the pronunciation is impossible. A "Xin chào!" (Hello) with a smile opens every door.

Crossing a Vietnamese street is the most terrifying moment of the trip for most first-time visitors. An endless stream of motorcycles, cars, buses, and trucks — without a gap, without a pause, without mercy. And yet: It works. If you know the rules.

The Method

1. Wait for a relative gap — not a complete gap, as there is none.
2. Start walking. Steadily, at a normal pace. Look to the left (the main danger).
3. NEVER stop. Don’t stop in the middle of the street — it confuses the motorcyclists predicting your movement.
4. Do NOT run. Running is the worst thing you can do — then no one can predict your direction.
5. Walk steadily and predictably. The motorcycles will navigate around you left and right — like water around a rock.
6. Large vehicles (buses, trucks) have the right of way. Stop in front of a bus!

Why it works

The system is based on mutual predictability. As long as you move steadily and predictably, the motorcyclists can navigate around you. They do this all day, with other motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, dogs, children. You are just another obstacle in the flow.

The first time is scary. By the third time, you feel like a pro. By the fifth time, you understand the system — and even start to like it.

Tipping is not mandatory in Vietnam, but it is increasingly expected — especially in tourist areas.

Germans, Austrians, and Swiss need a visa for Vietnam. Since 2023, there are two easy options:

E-Visa (recommended)

• Validity: 90 days, single or multiple entry
• Cost: 25 USD (pay online)
• Application: Online via the official website of the Vietnamese Immigration Department (evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn). Processing time: 3 working days.
• Required: Digital passport photo, passport scan, planned entry/exit date
• Advantage: Fast, easy, no visit to the embassy

Visa on Arrival (VoA)

• Only at international airports (NOT at land borders)
• Requires an "Approval Letter" from a visa service (10–25 USD) + stamp fee at the airport (25 USD for 1 month, 50 USD for 3 months)
• Can lead to waiting times — E-Visa is easier

Visa-Free

Phú Quốc: Up to 30 days visa-free with direct entry to the island (even without a Vietnam visa).

Important

• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the entry date
• At least 2 blank pages in the passport
• Entry and exit form is filled out at the airport (or online in advance)

Vietnam is in the Indochina Time Zone (ICT, UTC+7) — which means:

• Winter (CET): Vietnam is 6 hours ahead (12:00 in Germany = 18:00 in Vietnam)
• Summer (CEST): Vietnam is 5 hours ahead (12:00 in Germany = 17:00 in Vietnam)

Vietnam does not have daylight saving time — the time change only occurs in Germany.

Jet Lag Tips

With a 5–6 hour time difference, jet lag is moderate but noticeable. The best strategies:

• Outbound flight (eastward): Sleep on the plane, arriving in Vietnam in the afternoon, stay up, go to bed in the evening. 2–3 days to adjust.
• Return flight (westward): Easier! Arrive in the evening, hold out until normal bedtime.
• Melatonin: Can help adjust the sleep rhythm faster.

The customs regulations upon entering Vietnam:

Allowed (duty-free)

• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 g of tobacco
• 1.5 liters of alcohol over 22% or 2 liters under 22%
• Personal items up to a value of 5,000,000 VND
• Cash up to 5,000 USD (above: declare)

Prohibited

• Drugs of any kind (death penalty possible!)
• Weapons and ammunition
• Pornographic material
• Political literature against the state

Departure — Souvenirs

Antique items, fossils, and certain types of wood may NOT be exported. For art purchases: Keep the receipt as proof that it is not an antique. When importing into Germany: EU allowance 430€ (airplane) or 300€ (land/sea).