Lunar New Year (Tet)

The Vietnam’s largest and most important festival. Emphasis is placed on family with many returning to their home town to celebrate. Usually falling in January or February, Tet Eve is the most important day in the lunar calendar and the excitement is palpable!

Hue Festival

A biennial cultural event celebrated in even years in order to honor Hue's cultural heritages as well as Vietnam's national identity towards people from all over the world. With a quite long history since 1992, each time of celebration is distinctive festive theme, which never fails to draw attractions from millions of visitors.

Mid Autumn Festival

Held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar, it is the time for famer give thanks for the harvest and pray for the next harvest will be better. There are many exciting activities such as: lion dancer, prepare and decorate a tray of fruits, making a full moon cake. Everybody especially children often join to some games at the yard under the moonlight

Northern Vietnam

The north of Vietnam is furthest from the equator and is quite mountainous. Thus, the temperature here can be lower than in the rest of the country. Especially in the winter months, it can be a lot colder (17 - 20 degrees Celsius). The rainy season here runs from May to September.

Central Vietnam

In Central Vietnam it never really gets cold. Temperatures also remain above 20 degrees Celsius on average during the winter months. In the months of July and August it can get very hot here and in the fall it rains the most here, with severe storms possible.

Southern Vietnam

In the south, the differences in temperature are smaller. Here the temperature throughout the year averages between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius. The rainy season lasts from May to October. In April the temperature can rise to over 35 degrees

Taxi

It is safer and offers more accountability when taking a reliable taxi brand. These are some reputable taxi companies: Thanh Cong, Mai Linh, Vinasun.

Ride-sourcing

Grab, Be and Gojek are popular apps in big cities such as Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. They offer on-demand car taxi and motorcycle taxi booking service.

Tip

You can place a food order from a restaurant on ride-sourcing apps. They will assign a delivery partner to pick up the order to bring it to you.

Money Matters

The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnam đong, symbolised by đ or VND. Vietnamese notes are a mix of small paper bills and larger polymer bills, in values from 10,000 VND to 500,000VND.

Money Exchange

Upon arriving in Vietnam, you’ll want to have some cash in the local currency. Money can be exchanged in airports, banks and ATM.

Tip

To quickly convert from VND to USD, just remove three zeros and divide by 23

Safety issues

✅ Take a hotel business card from the reception desk. Handing it to the taxi driver will help you return to your hotel easier. ✅ Be careful in crowded areas such as local festivals and tourist sites to avoid gambles and pickpocketing. ✅ Leave crucial documents such as your passport and visa in the safety box at your hotel.

Outfits

✅ Wear formal clothes that cover your knees and shoulders when visiting spiritual or cultural sites. ✅ Bring plastic boots and light rain coats along in case of bad weather; sport shoes and clothes along for the trekking activities in Sapa and other mountainous areas.

Toiletries & Medication

✅ Many medicines are accessible in Indochina without prescriptions, but they may be out-of-date or of poor quality. ✅ While imported beauty products are available in major cities, it is best to pack toiletries such as sunscreen, contact lens solution, tampons and mosquito repellent.

Shopping

✅ Bargaining is necessary when shopping in Vietnam, but it's important to approach it with respect. You should reach a fair agreement that satisfies both yourself and the seller/provider, rather than just aiming for the lowest price. ✅ It is recommended that you check the prices of the same items in the neighborhood before reaching a deal. ✅ You should get a shipping insurance and check the policy's details if If you choose to have the items shipped to your house. Store owners are not responsible for any damages incurred en route.