9 vital things to know while traveling in Vietnam for backpackers

With a variety of things to offer from captivating natural landscapes to a colorful culture, Vietnam is definitely an interesting country to explore and travel. Despite having a relatively small total area, it does not make the tourist attractions in Vietnam less intriguing than other nations. Moreover, the country also features mesmerizing coastal beach which would make such an ideal choice for your summer vacation. The prominent elements of Vietnam have made it become a potential country for traveling.

Captivating beauty of Vietnam

Through years, the nation has succeeded in making changes and gained remarkable achievements. Tourism is one of the fields that have an incredibly fast speed of improving. It is undeniable that Vietnam possesses an irresistible charm to foreigners. In order to enhance your experience, let’s check out several tips for backpacking in Vietnam.

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1. Be cautious when you are booking something

You should not go for the suspicious prices

A hotel with a budget price is not a rare thing to find in Vietnam. Nevertheless, you should be wary what the quality of services you can get from a hotel with a suspiciously cheap price. Or else, you can choose booking tours. Remember to search for a reliable service in order to get yourself satisfied and comfortable with services during the trip. Another suggestion is that you could ask for personal experiences from other visitors or do searching on the Internet. It could give you a lot of recommendations about places to go or things to notice.

2. Do not be embarrassed to ask about the price before buying something

Make a bargain to get the best price

There are lots of eating places, especially street diners, do not have a menu, so you will not know what price a dish could cost. You should know the price for ordering anything to eat if you do not want to pay an unexpectedly high price once you finish the meal. It can be applied to shopping too. When you go shopping at street stores, a bargain is definitely necessary if you want to buy things with a price that you will not be regretful to pay.

3. Be surprised with the style of eating in Vietnam

Enjoy your dishes in Vietnamese way

If you have been used to eating at restaurants or diners with tall chairs, sofa, and proper tables, let’s be ready to switch to a different style of eating in the street kitchens in Vietnam. In those places, you will sit on small plastic chairs and tables distributed along the street. Visiting Vietnam without trying the street foods would be a big regret since this has become a cultural aspect of this country. A meal in the street food can come along with interesting features like seeing how the food is prepared or blend in the bubbling atmosphere of the street.

4. Taking a train trip

The train would give you more time and free space

Buses in Vietnam are probably the cheapest way to travel. However, you should also consider another way of transporting as well. A railway travel would be an excellent idea. When touring with a train, you can avoid encountering traffic jams and have a better view for observing the outside scenery. It is also suitable for a long-distance route. You can book for a section that has comfortable sleeping berths if your trip lasts more than one day.

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5. Be careful with crossing streets in Vietnam

The urban areas in Vietnam are crowded most of the time, especially during rush hours. With the huge numbers of cars, motorbikes, etc., it is essential that you completely focus while passing the street. Do not forget to pay attention to the vehicles even if the red light is on. Remain calm and selective when passing with a slow speed. Sometimes, the drivers would give you the way, so do not be hurry.

Traffic in Vietnam could be a real chaos

6. Pay attention to the number on your Vietnamese money

Be careful with your money

If you are about to exchange European money to Vietnamese currency, the price you get could be really high. However, the money paper in of Vietnam can have some features in common. For example, 20.000? and 500.000? share a relatively similar color. You could be confused with the number of zeros on 100,000 VND and 10,000 VND, so do not be careless with your money.

7. Experience the urban atmosphere and the simplicity of rural areas as well

The splendid view of the city

The tranquil countryside view

The city of Vietnam features excitements during the day and an enchanting nightlife. To experience all the prominent features of it, you may have to spend more than a couple of days. However, do not forget to check out the countryside areas of Vietnam too. It might give you a refreshment which is completely different from the eventful atmosphere of the cities.

8. Try out the coffee

Coffee is a common drink in Vietnam

The taste of coffee in Vietnam is a desirable thing to try in Vietnam. However, you would be surprised with the thick, strong flavor of the drink featuring a scent of caramel. If you cannot stand the typical bitterness of coffee, try the milked coffee with a mix of condensed milk. Weasel coffee (cà phê Ch?n) is a special kind of coffee which also known as the most expensive. The coffee with its unique taste has been considered as one of the best coffee globally.

9. Visiting the Ha Long Bay follows the route of Cat Ba Island

The beautiful image of Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay attracts an incredible number of visitors in every year. The most common route would start from Hanoi. Another option is taking the trail of Cat Ba Island which would be more exciting if you are an independent backpacker. It also helps you spend less money. While staying at the island, you could check out its national park for some interesting experiences.

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Vietnam is a country featuring special elements which are appealing to any foreign traveler. A trip to this nation is ideal for people who love new discoveries and a lot of surprises.