ADMIN
Visa
You can check out the visa requirements here & here (for French citizens), or with the nearest Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate to where you live.
Viet Nam offers Visa exemption for citizens of a few countries (incl. France, Spain, Italy, etc.) for less than 45-day trip. So just bring with you the printed ticket of your returned flights and it's enough!
For others (incl. Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, etc.), you can apply for e-Visa to Viet Nam (valid for up to 90 days), check it out at the immigration portal.
If you need to apply for a Visa, we recommend starting the process at least a month before your flight or as soon as you can. The Vietnamese administration often likes to take its time.
Security
In general, Viet Nam is a very safe country to travel.
The common "crimes" in Viet Nam and big cities like Saigon is either you get scammed with "tourist pricing" or your phone / bags / jewelry get snatched / mugged. Thus, we recommend that you avoid using handbags or purses when you walk on the streets - backpack or cross body bag would be a better choice! Plus, when using your phone, beware not to expose it to the buzzling street where a moving motorbike can snatch it from you (Quentin got his phone stolen once like that). You may want to use a string linking the phone to your wrist.
You may also encounter (organized) beggars in Saigon city center who usually target foreigners, the best way is to ignore them till they go away. But as everywhere in the world, we can always face unexpected situations so do not be too worried or paranoid. Just behave with respect and keep your cool / kindness, you will meet great people and nothing bad should happen :)
Payment Options
Medical
No mandatory vaccines are required to travel to VN.
More info here or here (for French citizens)
Some basic rules to keep in mind:
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Check your insurance coverage;
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Do not play with wandering dogs / animal;
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Bring a good insect / mosquito repellent;
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Tap water is not safe for drinking, including ice cubes from the street vendors;
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Always use safety belt in the car (for your own safety) and wear helmet on the motorbike (it's the law);
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Peel fruits and wash veggies carefully (with salt if necessary) before eating;
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Wash your hands regularly
And everything will be alright! You may want to bring a set of basic medicine, e.g., for the stomach in case you want to check out the street food here.
SIM Card & Phone
Even if most of the places in Viet Nam will offer free Wifi access, it is still recommended to have Internet service/4G ready on your phone: to go around using e-transport applications such as Grab (same with Uber), to talk with locals using Google Translate, or to find your way around the city using Google Map, etc.
Check with your current operator if they cover Viet Nam. Nonetheless, you will find what you need at the airport for an affordable price (around 60 Go package for 10 USD).
Reliable operators to look for are Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone. You can check out this blog post for more details and great advice.
Both cash and credit/debit cards work in Viet Nam. The easiest way is to use your card, so before departing, we recommend that you check with your bank if they refund international service charges for transactions / withrawal / payment etc. Contactless payments are also available in big city centers via Apple Pay or Google Pay.
If you know your bank is going to suck you up every time you use your card, you can look at online banking such as N26, revolut (Quentin has taxes on all payment / withdrawal for 10 € / month with N26).
Most hotels in Saigon & Vung Tau city centers will accept cards. For the restaurants, it depends on the chosen standard and your adventurous stomach capabilities. Most other shops or street vendors will not accept cards, so you will still need some cash!
Check with your bank, but we believe that Viet Nam Dong (VND) shall not be easy to get before departing. So, you can get them through 2 options:
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Exchange USD at certified counters (Euros are less popular and rates might be less competitive). Then exchange USD to VND when you arrive.
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Withdraw at the ATMs in Viet Nam. On top of your bank fees, local banks will also add a fee. More details about withdrawal fees for some popular banks here can be found via this link.
A few more notes:
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We recommend not bringing / storing all of your cash in one place in case of robbery. A budget of 50 USD / person / day is more than enough to travel comfortably in Viet Nam.
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Before you travel to rural areas, make sure you have enough cash since ATMs are not available everywhere and payment by cards is not always possible.
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As tourists, you will always be charged more when the price is not indicated or written: do not hesitate to negotiate a bit if you find the service too costly, particularly in touristic places such as Ben Thanh market or Nguyen Hue walking street in Saigon.
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On a daily basis, a 500,000 VND note is quite huge and many local shops might not have enough change, so keep your small notes whenever possible. You can exchange 500,000 VND notes against smaller notes in various convenient stores such as 7/11, Family Mart, Circle K, GS 25, etc.
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If you fly back to Europe and you have too much VND at the end of your trip, you can give us your notes and we'll transfer in Euros.
ACCOMMODATION
Ho Chi Minh City
also known as Saigon
The nearest international airport to Vung Tau City is Tan Son Nhat, located in the heart of Saigon, the biggest city & economic hub of Viet Nam. In case you want to spend the night or more to explore this dynamic place, we jot down some notes for you below.
In Saigon, you can find everything, from dormitory to the fanciest 5-star hotel according to your wishes and budget. Accommodation is not so cheap here, so better to plan ahead. Plus, some areas are nicer to stay than others. For your consideration:
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District 1: the very city center, you will find any services you want, most of the usual touristic activities, but also the traffic, noise and pollution of a congested area. Avoid the backpacker area (Bui Vien street) if you're looking for a calm resting place as it can be anything but relaxing at night.
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Thao Dien, in District 2. If, after a few days traveling in Viet Nam, you want to get back to a more western setting, you can stay in Thao Dien. The atmosphere is more like a village in Europe, you will find French bakeries and western restaurants with everything translated in English. Even though things here are a bit more expensive than other districts, it can be enjoyable from time to time :).
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Around Pham Viet Chanh street in Binh Thanh District, or Binh An in District 2: great areas where you will find affordable western places surrounded by the most Vietnamese vibes.
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District 3, near the District 1 side, cheap, with nice coffee places and pubs, a good area as well, similar to Pham Viet Chanh and Binh An.
Few hotel ideas can be found here or here, taken from our friends.
Anyway, with a Grab bike or a taxi, everything is reachable in less than 20 minutes. So you can just pick a quiet place and it should be fine! Let us know if you want our thoughts on a place you like :)
where love will be celebrated
Vung Tau
Thanks to its proximity to Saigon (only 2-hour drive), Vung Tau is a popular tourist destination; thus, there are a lot of options for accommodation here. We do not have much experience of staying in hotels in Vung Tau since we always rest at Anh's parents house whenever we visit the city. Though it shouldn't be difficult to find a place to your liking. You will find everything on Airbnb / Booking / Agoda, usually at a more affordable price than in Saigon.
Vung Tau has a lot of hotels facing the sea, from cheap hostels to fancy 5-star resorts. For your consideration, the main beach areas where most hotels are located are:
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Bai Sau (the Back Beach) - this is the most popular / the best beach for swimming & watching the moon rise at night.
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Bai Dua (the Pineapple Beach) - this beach is not pleasant for swimming but it has one of the most scenic coastlines in Vung Tau (Ha Long street) where you can watch the most beautiful sunrise, climb the small mountain, and chill at pretty nice coastal cafés.
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Bai Truoc (the Front Beach) - this beach is quite small comparing to Bai Sau but it's the closest to the city center and well-connected to most places. It has a seaside park that offers a lovely view to the docked fishing boats.
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Bai Dau (the Strawberry Beach) - this beach is a bit far from the city center so it's less crowded, however we don't recommend swimming here (lots of hidden rocks). It is close to the wedding venue, and the sunset view is lovely in this area.
The venue of the wedding is Làng Bình An, which means the Peaceful Village. It is located in between the Front Beach and the Strawberry Beach. They propose charming / vintage rooms with beautiful scenery, a very calm atmosphere, and a stunning view to the sea, especially for the sunset. Staying here will surely be more convenient for you on the wedding day. However, you can find cheaper options with easier access to the beach and closer to the city center.
If you're interested in staying at Binh An Village, we recommend that you do the booking soon as they only have 9 rooms in total (and 1 room Hoi An is already reserved for us). Our guests will get a special 5% discount: you can check out their original room rate & photos here. To book, you can drop them a message on Facebook, send them an email at langbinhanvt@gmail.com, or call the hotline 0901 555 247 to talk to Ms. An. Please clearly state that you will stay for Anh & Quentin's wedding to get the 5% discount. Kindly note that they are not working with Booking and Agoda - online booking on an intermediary channel can be done through Traveloka but the price will be higher, so better to contact Binh An directly.
Overall, Vung Tau is a small city so even if we are not at a walking distance from each other, everything is easily reachable with a Grab, a taxi, an electric bus, or a public bicycle (check out Transportation section).
TRANSPORTATION
If you have never experienced it before, you'll find transportation in Viet Nam can be quite scary. But Không sao! There's always beauty in the chaos, and below are some notes to help you navigate!
MOVING WITHIN THE CITY
Motorbike is the king of the street. (Fun fact: Saigon is the world's capital of motorbikes!) Everybody drives a motorbike, and every household owns it. Sometimes you will see up to 5 persons on a tiny bike, or pets, plants, very heavy goods, or anything that you can imagine.
For the last decades, there are more and more cars but motorbike is still the most popular mode of transport. You will get used to it. However, to prevent the effects of air pollution, it is recommended to wear a mask when you ride or even when you just sit on the back of a motorbike.
In the cities like Saigon or Vung Tau, if you do not have a driving license that is legally applicable in Viet Nam, we recommend that you use Taxi or ride-hailing apps to move around in respect of the law. This mode of transport is quite affordable and also frequently used by the locals. It is not difficult to rent a motorbike here if you want a bit of adventure, but without a proper license and local driving experience, ride it at your own risk - there are a lot of traffic police in big cities (Saigon / Hanoi), and you might not want to rely on their good moods or sympathy.
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Traditional Taxi: we recommend that you only look for Mai Linh (nationwide), Vinasun (nationwide), or TaxiGroup (only in Hanoi & the North). They are the top 3 most reliable taxi brands (they all have an app available on Google / Apple Store) so the drivers will not try to drive you around to increase the fare. There are more chances for you to experience bad situations with other companies (broken taximeter, tourists/foreigners pricing, etc.).
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Ride-hailing apps: the best option for tourists. You can install GRAB (the most popular one with more drivers and less waiting time), BE, GOJEK, XANH SM (electrical vehicles), choose your type of preferred vehicle (motorbike, 4 or 7-seat car), set up pick up and drop off locations and the price will be agreed before booking. This way, no bad surprise. In any case, the Vietnamese law must be followed (and also for your own safety since the traffic here is not for the faint of heart):
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Wear a safety belt in cars.
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Wear a helmet on bikes. All "bike taxis" have a spare one for their passenger.
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Payment: There are both cash and card options for traditional taxis (the reliable and big brands) and ride-hailing apps. Though since most of the rides are now booked through the ride-hailing apps, drivers usually have little to no change. Hence, we recommend setting up your credit card(s) in the app (be careful of the extra fees from your bank), it will make everything easier.
Public transport
Bus | The bus system is the most common public transport in the cities, but might be a bit tricky for foreigners to navigate. Depending on the route, the time (traffic jam alert) and the areas that you want to visit, the experience boarding the bus can varry. We still recommend using the taxi and the ride-hailing apps in big cities if you're not used to the transport system here: they're much faster, easier, and safer (foreigners are stand-out targets for pickpockets) than buses. If you still want to check it out, you can find the public bus routes in Saigon here or you may consider VinBus (a privately operated electronic bus service).
In the center of big cities like Saigon or Ha Noi, you can also spot the double-decker hop on hop off bus for tourists. It is convenient if you want to see the city as much as possible in a short period of time. Check it out here. However, due to the heavy traffic flow in the city center, they might take a long time to move around. It might be more enjoyable if you use this time to take a walk around to better explore the charm of the city's buzzling streets and local vendors.
For Vung Tau, you can easily find the electric buses parking along the coastline of Bai Sau (The Back Beach) or Bai Truoc (The Front Beach). The design is open so you can freely enjoy the view and the wind from the sea. One bus can take up to 10-11 people. For the first 2 km, the price is 50,000 VND (2 USD), after that, it will be 25,000 VND (1 USD) / km. You can just approach an empty bus when you see it on the street and simply ask for a ride to your desired destination, or call the hotline +84 254 7306868 to book it. Prepare some cash with you for the payment.
Metro | The metro system is just recently being developed so it is not yet a common means of transport in Viet Nam.
Ha Noi Metro just opened for public usage since 2021 - check it out here, and Saigon Metro (as of now, May 2024) is still not officially in operation. But who knows, it might be ready when you visit us here in November! For Vung Tau, there is no metro.
Bicycle | Public bicycles are available through the app TNGO in 6 provinces and cities, including Saigon and Vung Tau. Just download the app (available on Google / App Store), register your account, find a nearby station, and follow the instruction for unlocking / locking the bicycle & payment. In Saigon, considering the heat, busy traffic and lack of specific lanes for cycling, riding a public bicycle is more suitable / enjoyable if you only go for a short distance or around the city center. In Vung Tau, a ride along the coastline would be lovely around the sunrise / sunset time.
Walking | Generally, the traffic here is not too friendly for pedestrians. Sometimes you might find the pavements too narrow or full of bikes / street vendors. But it's not too bad and hey, it's a part of the experience, right? ;) Also, crossing the streets here may be intimidating for some at first, but no worries, we have a few notes for you:
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Stopping for pedestrians to cross is not a common practice here. We recommend that you use the designated crosswalks at traffic lights or where there's a white marking on the road for pedestrian crossing. When you cross the streets, even if the little guy on the traffic light is green, double check twice each side before proceeding.
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If you cross on a running traffic, you might want to raise your hand and move forward slowly. Do NOT suddenly stop, step backward or run. The secret is to keep a steady pace when you walk so that the moving traffic can predict your movement and avoid hitting you. Be confident and just go with the flow - it would be OK!
MOVING FROM ONE CITY / PROVINCE TO ANOTHER
If you want to travel from one province / city to another, depending on the distance and your preferred style of travel, you can either go by plane, by train, or by bus.
By plane
Since your time in Vietnam is limited, if the distance is long (e.g., Saigon-Da Nang or Saigon-Hanoi, etc.), we recommend that you fly with Vietnam Airlines, check-in luggage is included and their schedules are reliable. It is the opposite of Viet Jet or Air Asia, which are always late, sometimes cancelled with a very bad customer service.
By train
Express train connecting different provinces from the North to the South is also a common mode of transport. Though, taking the train here is nothing like it is in Europe. Rail travel in Viet Nam is not very high-tech, not too fast, not too clean, informal, but exciting. The tickets are cheaper than the flights, and of course it takes much longer time. However, it will offer you a very local experience, and lovely scenic changes from one place to another. Check out the routes and buy tickets here.
By bus / shuttle
For short distance such as from Saigon to Vung Tau (~100km), traveling by bus is a common choice. There are many options for bus services connecting different provinces and cities, but specifically for this route Saigon-Vung Tau, we recommend Hoa Mai Bus.
For longer distance, sleeping bus is available. Check out this blog if you want to consider taking one, and Vexere for other info on different bus routes & booking.
SIGHTSEEING
Vung Tau is not the most well-known destination for foreigners traveling to Viet Nam. However, it still has a lot to offer.
For instance, you can:
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Enjoy the fresh sea food and the delicious bánh khọt (see Food section).
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Enjoy the accessible beaches, burry your feet in the soft sand, take a swim in the sea or have a jog along the seashore. The best beach for swimming is Bai Sau.
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Have a refreshing ice cream cube at the childhood ice cream shop of Anh (the granddaughter of the founder went to the same class in primary school with Anh). It is home-made and has been there for more than 30 years!
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Visit the White Palace, the governor house during the French colonial period. This place is recognized as a national historical and cultural site with a rich history, lots of well-reserved artifacts and French architectural style since the end of the 19th century. Its garden is beautiful with charming alleys filled with green trees and frangipani flowers.
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Climb up to the Christ statue and the lighthouse. It will be wonderful for you to see the city from above.
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Visit temples and pagodas - they're sacred.
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Ride a bicycle along the coastline - see Transportation section.
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And the classics: just relax and stop by any cozy coffee shop facing the sea to read / work / chit chat, have a drink with us or your friends, and maybe end up at the karaoke.
Other ideas available here, or just simply ask Anh!
Near Vung Tau, you can go to other nice beaches in Mui Ne / Phan Thiet or in Ho Tram.
If you take the opportunity of our wedding to travel a bit more in Viet Nam, there are plenty of options. The country is usually divided in 3 main parts:
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The North of Viet Nam:
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Ha Noi, that can keep you busy for weeks, which is also the starting point for all other must-see place in the area:
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The rice fields (Sa Pa, Pu Luong, Mai Chau, and so many others),
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Road trip in the breathtaking mountains of Ha Giang,
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Cat Ba island and Ha Long bay near Hai Phong, or Ninh Binh - the "inland" Ha Long bay.
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The Central of Viet Nam:
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Da Nang, the third economical hub of the country, with great seashores and many activities to do.
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Hoi An, the lanterns city, the most charming ancient village, particularly at night, surrounded by rice fields giving an outstanding green scenery at day-light.
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Hue, the imperial city and old capital of Viet Nam. It arguably offers the best food experience, with very affordable prices.
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The amazing caves of Phong Nha, near Dong Hoi. Only 2 agencies are allowed to operate in this UNESCO protected national park: Oxalis and Jungle Boss.
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These are only a few destinations, do not hesitate to contact some travel agencies. They usually have better price than if you plan everything on your own. Plus, their support will make the trip much more enjoyable.
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Chom Chom Travel (well renowned for family trip, and totally off the beaten track)
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Amica travel (French speaking agency)
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Other options recommended by friends: Go Viet Trip - Lily's Travel Agency - Hanoi Explore Travel - Make Your Asia
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The South of Viet Nam:
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Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), or Saigon, is more of a city to live in and a connection hub than a touristic place to visit but there's still a lot to see: the Central Post Office, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon, the Opera House and its affordable shows (such as A O show, a must see), water puppets theater, the Independence Palace, relaxing time at the Central Park, Ben Thanh Market, the Museums (on War and Arts), pedestrian Nguyen Hue Street, Dining on the Saigon river, Chinatown (Cho Lon), etc. Some options can be found here and here.
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When you're in HCMC, you might consider to do a few days trip to Phnom Penh in Cambodia or to the Mekong Delta.
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Islands:
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FOOD
If you do not know it yet, Vietnamese cuisine is one of the best in the world: fresh, affordable, varied, healthy with an abundance of herbs and veggies. Meals feature a combination of five fundamental tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and spicy. Each dish has a strong identity accoording to which region it comes from. There is also a philosophy behind the way food is prepared here - if you're intersted, you can take some time to read this article on cultural studies and how to make sense of the Vietnamese cuisine. For recommendations on which food to try, check out 21 must-try Vietnamese dishes or Viet Nam 101: regional cuisine.
In Saigon, you will find any kind of food that you wish to try: from all over the world but also from all regions in Viet Nam. A few Vietnamese addresses that we enjoy in HCMC: Cuc Gach Quan, Madame Lam, Quan Bui, Hoa Tuc, Secret Garden, Beo Oi, etc.
In terms of international food, just go on Google Map and you will find your best match. Same for vegetarian restaurants, you will find plenty of good options with a quick search - just choose the ones with a high rating (at least 4 stars) and you're good to go!
In Vung Tau, food specialty is of course seafood! You will find many restaurants along the coast for a very affordable price (keep in mind that these places may not accept payment by cards). You can also try out “banh khot” (Quentin's favorite breakfast), a famous dish in Vung Tau.
A few addresses for your consideration:
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Banh khot Ba Hai - a very local place, you can see them cooking banh khot right next to you when eating!
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Ganh Hao Seafood Restaurant - a well-known destination for both locals and tourists, they offer great seafood selection and a lovely view by the sea for the sunset.
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Com nieu - traditional family meals
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Kem Sai Gon - Anh's (and her parents') favorite ice cream shop
On street food
In Viet Nam, you can find mobile street food stalls everywhere on the pavements offering all sorts of dishes.
It is generally safe to eat, but if you don't feel it, don't force it. As the sanitary is not always guaranteed, if you are not used to it yet, avoid drinking water / ice cubes from street vendors (what is called "tra da" = iced tea). You will find all the water you need in convenient stores (7/11, Circle K, Family mart, GS 25, etc.). In proper restaurants, water is safe to drink.
On drinks
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Water: tap water is not safe for drinking, always boil it before using or you can buy mineral water.
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Juice: you can easily find healthy juices made from fresh fruits here, just enjoy !
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Alcohol: people drink light beers, with ice ! This is a common practice and it's quite enjoyable with the hot weather. Some local wine is made in the region of Da Lat but the result is very different from European wines. All liquors are imported, except some gin and rum. If you are lucky, you will get a chance to try some locally made rice wine.
Overall, no worries, you won't be thirsty in Viet Nam !
On cutlery
In Viet Nam, we use chopsticks and spoons (except in Western restaurants). If you are not very skilled with those, you can ask for a fork / knife in restaurants. With streetfood vendors, good luck ! If possible, bring your reusable bottle / straw to limit plastic pollution as much as possible.
LANGUAGE
Maybe one of the biggest challenges of your trip: common Vietnamese people speak little English (except the intellectuals and people who work in the tourism industry), and Vietnamese is definitely not an easy language to learn.
Indeed, it is a tonal and monosyllabic language. Meaning:
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If you say a word with the voice going up or down (or other nuances, there are 6 in total in Vietnamese), it will have a different meaning. Ex: mẹ ("starting down") means mother while mè ("starting up going down") means sesame.
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Every word is made of 1 syllable, but some words are made of 2 monosyllabic words. Ex: nhật means Japan, chủ means owner, and chủ nhật means Sunday.
Anyway, you will not become fluent after a few weeks in Viet Nam, just keep in mind:
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English / Latin languages are totally different from Vietnamese, and that may lead to some incomprehension, but it's normal !
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Even though the Vietnamese language uses the Latin alphabet (which is very convenient to know where to go / what to eat), the pronunciation can be very different.
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No matter how bad your accent is, Vietnamese people are always super happy to see foreigners speaking a bit of their language so don’t be shy, just try ! In the worst case, you will laugh together =)
You can find some basic words and practical phrases here:
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English speaking: here EN
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French speaking: here FR
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with some audio of the basic words here Audio
In case it's impossible to understand / be understood, just use the langage of your smile, which will solve many things in Viet Nam. You can utilize Google Translate or ask someone around (people here are very friendly and ready to help). Just stay calm / humble / respectful and it will be settled.
Good luck! Chúc may mắn!
Greetings
Better to know the local habits to ensure the best start ever with your new friends !
Greetings in Viet Nam is actually very simple:
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No need to bow your body like in Japan,
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No need to place both hands together for a 'namaste' like in India,
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No need to shake hands like in the West,
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No need to do “the bise” like in France
→ You just need to say Hi / "Xin chào" + [name of the person if you know it], then smile and that’s it ! 🙂
For men, you may shake hands, but not necessarily the first time you meet someone - better to wait for the other one to initiate the move. Among friends, sometimes we will also give each other a hug.
Anyway, your smile is the greatest asset so no need to stress over the greetings. Just relax, be respectful and a bit attentive to adjust with the situation - you'll be fine.
When in doubt, just reach out !
If you have any questions or need our consultation on anything, feel free to reach out through texts / calls and we are more than happy to support your trip planning. Bisous x