We've rounded up all of the basics you need to know about Vietnam prior to your trip.
entry requirements/visas
CLIMATE
Northern Vietnam:
Hot & Rainy: May to October
Cool: December & January
Dry: November to April
Central Vietnam:
Hot & Dry: January to August
Rainy: September to November
Southern Vietnam:
Hot & Dry: November to April
Rainy: June to August
Hot & Rainy: May to October
Cool: December & January
Dry: November to April
Central Vietnam:
Hot & Dry: January to August
Rainy: September to November
Southern Vietnam:
Hot & Dry: November to April
Rainy: June to August
currency
Vietnamese Dong: $1CAD = 17,031VND / $1USD = 23,632IDR - As of March 2020.
Check https://www.xe.com/ for up-to-date exchange rates, as well as downloading the app here (Android, iOS), to use while you're in Indonesia, or traveling elsewhere.
Check https://www.xe.com/ for up-to-date exchange rates, as well as downloading the app here (Android, iOS), to use while you're in Indonesia, or traveling elsewhere.
tipping
language & phrases
We always, always, always recommend learning at least a few basic phrases prior to traveling to a new country to show your respect.
Vietnamese is the official language in Vietnam.
Hello = Xin chao
How are you = Ban khoe khong
Good = Tot
Please = Xin vui long
Thank you = Cam on
Yes = Dung
No = Khong
How much? = Bao nhieu?
Bathroom = Phong tam
Spicy = Vi cay
Not spicy = Khong cay
Delicious = Thom ngon
Beer = Bia
Beautiful = Xinh dep
We recommend downloading Google Translate (Android, iOS) prior to your trip and then downloading 'Vietnamese'. Once that's done, you can translate words and phrases and offline download them, to use while you're traveling around Indonesia.
Vietnamese is the official language in Vietnam.
Hello = Xin chao
How are you = Ban khoe khong
Good = Tot
Please = Xin vui long
Thank you = Cam on
Yes = Dung
No = Khong
How much? = Bao nhieu?
Bathroom = Phong tam
Spicy = Vi cay
Not spicy = Khong cay
Delicious = Thom ngon
Beer = Bia
Beautiful = Xinh dep
We recommend downloading Google Translate (Android, iOS) prior to your trip and then downloading 'Vietnamese'. Once that's done, you can translate words and phrases and offline download them, to use while you're traveling around Indonesia.
power plugs & sockets
In Vietnam the power plugs and sockets are of type A, C and D. The standard voltage is 110 / 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Religion & culture
The majority of Vietnam is atheist, while the rest is mostly Buddhist, Christian & Catholic.
festivals & holidays
Tet Nguyen Dan: Vietnamese New Year - the most important celebration in Vietnam.
Hoi An Lantern Festival: The lantern festival happens once a month in Hoi An, on the full moon.
Hoi An Lantern Festival: The lantern festival happens once a month in Hoi An, on the full moon.
Food & Bev
Banh Mi:
toilet paper
Do NOT flush it! Vietnam's sewage system cannot handle it. Also, bring it out and about with you, as most public toilets do not have toilet paper. But then again, this could be your opportunity to get used to the 'bum gun', as this is more sanitary anyway!