Travel Safety Tips for Tourists Visiting Vietnam
Vietnam is a beautiful and welcoming country with rich culture, delicious food, and stunning landscapes. However, like any travel destination, there are certain risks that tourists should be aware of. Here are important tips for staying safe during your trip:
SAFETY: Violent crime is low in all the places we are visiting; however, pickpockets are a possibility so be aware of your surroundings. There are more snatch & pickpockets in Saigon than anywhere else in Vietnam…quite safe in the Central Coast such as Hue & Hoian. I recommend wearing purses in front. There are no land mines or malarial mosquitoes where we travel
FOOD & DRINK:
Vietnamese cuisine is amazing, but food safety should not be ignored.
- Avoid eating at stalls with poor hygiene.
- Drink bottled water only—never drink tap water.
- Be cautious with ice in drinks (unless it’s from a restaurant or hotel).
- If you have a sensitive stomach, go for cooked food rather than raw salads or street shellfish.
even though the tap water in all our hotels is filtered. I would still recommend not drinking it as complimentary bottled water is provided every hotel. Please note that imported water such as, Evian, Perrier etc. is not included. All restaurants use purified ice and water please enjoys the great fruit and vegetables here in South East Asia. You can order the drink at the restaurant and pay them after having meal.
MOSQUITO – BORNE DISEASES
Diseases like dengue fever and Zika virus can be transmitted by mosquitoes.
- Use mosquito repellent (preferably with DEET).
- Wear long-sleeved clothing in rural or forested areas.
- Stay in accommodation with mosquito nets or air conditioning.
PASSPORTS: It is always a good idea to have a copy of the front page of your passport. On this tour, we or hotels just copy your passport to check the information one more time for security. When flying from city to city, you must show them the passport for flight check in, no need to show them your flight e- tickets. (Note: we have already got your passport details for hotels, but sometimes they need your Visa Information)
LUGGAGE MASTERS: Hotel porters will handle checked luggage for the most part, at some airports we will need to check-in individually and you need to claim your bags at the luggage carousel. Luggage will travel to and from the airport with you on the same bus/ Car
CHECKED LUGGAGE: It is extremely important that we have an accurate luggage count at all times. Please have a tag on each piece of checked luggage but not on luggage. If you would like to add or subtract a bag, please let me know right away. I would recommend keeping your valuables in your carry-on. When you check out one of the hotels, just put luggage at the corridor or outside your room, the hotel porters are responsible to carry down the lobby for you to put on the bus/ car. Please check carefully your luggage before they are put on the bus; just make sure none of them are left at hotel room.
CARRY-ON BAGS: Please do not add your carry-on to the checked luggage without telling the tour guide first. Leaving bag on the motor coach is safe but as always keeps your valuables with you or in your hotel room’s safe. Just remember to remove items from safes when checking out of the hotel. HINT: A good way to remind yourself is to put one shoe in your safe along with your valuables!
MONEY: There are money exchanges in all of our hotels and ATMs are readily available. In Vietnam, US dollars are usually accepted but having a small amount of local currency can be handy for small items such as a cold drink. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist restaurants or hotels
In Vietnam: You can spend USD at hotel or tourist restaurant, but not at the local market or shop: You can exchange the money at any bank or at the hotel reception.
You should exchange 100 USD/ or 100 AUD / or 100 EURO, and you run out of cash VND, you do it again: Keeping too much VND in pocket, not very safe to spend …
1 USD = 26,000 Vietnam Dong / 1 AUD = 16.500 VND / 1 EURO = 29.000 VNĐ
TIPPING: You can give some tips to the local guides and drivers.
CLOTHING & SHOES:
- Dress modestly when visiting temples or pagodas.
- Do not take photos in restricted areas such as military zones or border checkpoints.
We will be taking our shoes off in some temples and also there are a few times when there is a dress code enforced, i.e. no bare knees or shoulders. For example, no short is allowed at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi (must cover your knees). The guide has noted on the itinerary when this applies and will remind you.
(Note: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi is closed on every Monday & every Friday, and just open in morning. It is also closed every 3 months for maintenance from Sept to Nov)
BUS: We will let you choose your seat by yourself, will not post a seating chart so that everyone rotates through the front seat. For their safety our local guides will have a seat at the front so that they are not at risk while speaking on the microphone. It is not compulsory to wear the seat belt on the bus…the seatbelt is not available or taken off on many buses here…
CROSSING THE STREET/ TRAFFIC HAZARDS
Vietnamese traffic can be overwhelming, especially in cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
- Do not drive a motorbike unless you're experienced and properly licensed.
- Use ride-hailing apps like Grab instead of random taxis or motorbike taxis on the street.
- Cross the road slowly and steadily—vehicles will usually go around you, but stay alert.
- Be extra careful as pedestrians don’t in have the right-of-way. The best advice is to go slow and steady and do not backup. The cars and motorcycles will be avoiding you so try not to surprise them by darting.
SHOPPING: If you see something you like, buy it then as you can never be sure you’ll find it again. Also, buyer beware: if the price seems too good to be true then it probably is! Sticking with recommended stores is your safest bet for big ticket items. And be prepared to bargain unless the price is expressly written down in a shop.
INCIDENTALS & HOTEL KEY: Please settle incidentals from your stay with the hotel before we depart and return the keys to the front desk. Many hotels use the key cards to activate your room’s electricity and sometime the hotel elevator.
TOILETS: Toilets in Asia can be part of the overall adventure. All of our hotels have western-style toilets; however, it is inevitable that you will come across an Asian style squat facility somewhere on our tour. Remember to carry a supply of tissue, as there will surely be a time when you’ll be happy you did. Also, please be advised that there are no rest rooms on our tour buses, but we will make frequent rest stops.
AIRPORT PICK UP & TRANSFER (JUST INCASE)
You will arrive in Vietnam separately with different airlines & land at different time. We just pick up with your name sign at the airport, when you check out your baggage, our guide will be at the exit waiting for you with your name sign ( pls look around carefully ) : Do not move to other lobby. Sometimes your flight arrives earlier than its schedule or delayed:
Important note:
TAXI & Transport
In Vietnam: Taxi is very popular, but only in the city such as Hanoi, Saigon: You should jump on the right one: The hotel reception always orders for you the best taxi:
Domestic Airport transfer: You need to be at the airport 2 hours for check -in before your take-off
- If you fly out in Saigon: It takes 60 minutes to go by bus from your hotel
- If you fly out in Hanoi: It takes about 45 minutes to go from your hotel:
For tour group: Sometimes everyone goes with different flight, we provide car / mini-bus transfer to the airport for you: If you transit in Saigon before flying home…the Airline Staff at the airport will instruct you how to change the flight….
Note: if your flight is changed or delayed, please inform your local tour guide to fix up the pickup at hotel…
YOUR TOUR OPERATOR: I am available 24 hours a day, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns along the way.
My hand Phone number ( Thai ): 098 868 1927 (In Vietnam)
(Hotline), if called outside Vietnam, you must press: 0084 -98 868 1927
Thank you very much for your attention and enjoy your trip
