First-time Visitor Tips
15 things I wish I had known before my first trip to Vietnam:
- The traffic looks chaotic — but it's systematic. 45 million motorcycles flood the streets. When crossing: walk slowly and steadily, DO NOT stop or run. The motorcycles will flow around you like water around a stone. → Chap. Practical A-Z
- Bargaining is a must. In markets and with street vendors, the first price is always 2–3× too high. Smile friendly and start at 50–60%. No bargaining in supermarkets and restaurants with menus.
- Grab is your best friend. The app (like Uber) works in all cities: GrabCar (car) and GrabBike (motorbike taxi). Fixed price, no bargaining, GPS navigation. Be sure to install it before the trip!
- The Reunification Express is not an express train. 33 hours for 1,726 km. But the section Huế–Đà Nẵng (3h) along the coast is a must. Book Soft Sleeper!
- Toilet paper is not a given. Many places and public toilets don't have any. Always carry tissues. And: toilet paper goes in the bin, not the toilet!
- Ice is (mostly) safe. Ice in Vietnam is industrially produced and safe. Just be cautious with homemade crushed ice at very simple stalls.
- Apply for a visa beforehand! Germans need an E-Visa (25 USD, online, 90 days) or Visa on Arrival. The E-Visa is easier — apply at least 1 week in advance.
- Cash is King. Outside major cities and hotels, payments are made in cash. ATMs are everywhere, but watch out for fees (20,000–50,000 VND per withdrawal). Maximum amount often 2–5 million VND.
- The Vietnamese are incredibly friendly. But: friendliness + business acumen go hand in hand. Check taxi meters, count change, and agree on prices BEFORE the service.
- Street food is safe — if the stall is busy. High turnover = fresh ingredients. Empty stall = stay away. The plastic chair rule applies: the lower the stool, the better the food.
- Sun protection is vital. UV radiation is intense, especially in the south. SPF 50+, hat, and long-sleeved light clothing (like the Vietnamese). Sunscreen is expensive locally.
- Night buses are surprisingly comfortable. Sleeper buses with reclining seats are the cheapest way to cover long distances. The Sinh Tourist and Hoàng Long are reliable providers.
- Travel light. You can buy or have everything tailored cheaply in Vietnam. Hội An is famous for bespoke tailors (suit in 24h from 80€). Laundry costs 1€/kg.
- Vietnamese coffee is a drug. Robusta beans, brewed in a Phin filter, with condensed milk. Stronger than any espresso. Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng) in Hanoi is a must.
- Book domestic flights early. Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and VietJet Air offer cheap domestic flights (from 20€). But: prices rise quickly, and VietJet's baggage rules are strict.
