Hanoi- 12 flower seasons

Each season has a different colour, the flowers are put on the old bicycles which run around every corner of the streets making Hanoi has the sweet beauty.

When the lotus give forth a fragrant smell throughout the lagoons in the West Lake area, that is the time when the bicycles carry the lotus to sell Hanoi people.

Yên Phụ street is the focus of most of those bicycles. Behind each flower basket in this season usually area white lotus buds or pink.

A flower bicycles with the roses, Bach Nhat flowers, Dahlia flowers stop for seller to relax on Hoang Hoa Tham street.

Not wrong at all, when many people say that the season returns on the petals. As only needing to look the flowers on those bicycles, you also can know the season of Hanoi.

When winter comes, Hanoi becomes softer with the white of daisies.

The sellers carry the flowers around the streets.

You can buy and arrange flowers in the vase to beautify for family space and working.

Beside of the specific flowers of Hanoi like lotus, lilies, daisy, delphinium flowers with more colours is more and more popular in Hanoi.

The lenient smile of the seller makes the flowers attract more.

The bicycle carries flowers on Dong King Nghia Thuc Square.  

All foreign nationals need a visa to enter Vietnam, with certain exceptions: citizens of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Japan and South Korea do not need a visa if they are travelling to Vietnam for less than fifteen days, have a passport valid for three months following the date of entry and hold a return air ticket.

If you wanna travel to Vietnam but don’t know anythings about Vietnam travel, you can look at in this topic.

Electricity

The electricity supply in Vietnam is 220 volts. Plugs generally have two round pins, though you may come across sockets requiring two flat pins and even some requiring three pins. Adaptors can be found in any electrical shop. Power supplies can be erratic, so be prepared for cuts and surges.

Entry requirements

All foreign nationals need a visa to enter Vietnam, with certain exceptions: citizens of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Japan and South Korea do not need a visa if they are travelling to Vietnam for less than fifteen days, have a passport valid for three months following the date of entry and hold a return air ticket. Citizens of certain ASEAN–member countries, including Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore are also exempt for stays of up to thirty days. Tourist visas are generally valid for thirty days and for a single entry, though three months multiple–entry visas are also available. A standard thirty–day visa costs the local equivalent of US$30–100, depending on how quickly you want it processed.

The majority of visitors apply for a visa in their country of residence, either from the embassy direct, or through a specialist visa agent or tour agent. Processing normally takes around a week, though many embassies also offer a more expensive “express” service.

If it’s difficult to get to your nearest Vietnam Embassy, consider buying your visa online at wvietnamvisa.com. Prices range from US$22 plus US$25 ‘stamping fee’ (for a one-month, single-entry visa) to US$34 plus US$50 ‘stamping fee’ (for a three-month, multiple-entry visa.) On receipt of your fee (usually within 24 hours), you’ll be sent a document to print out and show immigration on arrival. The process is very efficient and currently only requires a short wait upon arrival, though this wait could get longer if the system proves popular. If you follow this route, look out for the Visa on Arrival desk at the airport before you pass through immigration.

To apply for a tourist visa, you have to submit an application form with one or two passport-sized photographs (procedures vary) and the fee. The visa shows specific start and end dates indicating the period of validity within which you can enter and leave the country. The visa is valid for entry via Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang international airports and any of Vietnam’s land borders open to foreigners.

Business visas are valid for one month upwards and can be issued for multiple entry, though you’ll need a sponsoring office in Vietnam to underwrite your application.

One-year student visas are relatively easy to get hold of if you enrol, for example, on a Vietnamese language course at one of the universities; you’ll be required to attend a minimum number of classes per week to qualify. It’s easiest to arrange it in advance, but you can enter Vietnam on a tourist visa and apply for student status later – the only downside is that you may have to leave the country in order to get the visa stamp.

Special circumstances affect overseas Vietnamese holding a foreign passport: check with the Vietnamese embassy in your country of residence for details.

Visa extensions
Thirty-day extensions are issued in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hué and Hoi An. Some people have managed to obtain second and even third extensions, usually in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Applications have to be made via a tour agent. In general they take three to five days to process and cost $25 for the first one-month extension.

Holders of business visas can apply for an extension only through the office that sponsored their original visa, backed up with reasons as to why an extension is necessary.

Incidentally, overstaying your visa will result in fines of between US$10 and US$50, depending how long you overstay and the mood of the immigration official, and is not recommended.

See more: Tips for visiting danang Vietnam

Finally, foodstuffs that may tempt you include coffee from the central highlands, candied strawberries and artichoke tea from Da Lat, coconut candies from the Mekong Delta, preserved miniature tangerines from Hoi An and packets of tea and dried herbs and spices from the northern highlands.

If you wanna travel to Vietnam but don’t know anythings about Vietnam travel, you can look at in this topic.

Books, stamps and coins

You can buy photocopied editions of almost all the books ever published on Vietnam from strolling vendors in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. There are also an increasing number of locally published coffee-table books, histories and guides available from bona-fide bookshops and the more upmarket hotels. However, if all you want is some general reading matter, both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City now have secondhand bookshops where you can exchange or buy used books.

Philatelists meanwhile will enjoy browsing through the old Indochinese stamps sold in the souvenir shops of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Similarly, old notes and coins, including French-issue piastres and US Army credits, are available.

Memorabilia, trinkets and food

Army surplus gear is still a money-spinner, though fatigues, belts, canteens and dog tags purportedly stolen from a dead or wounded GI aren’t the most tasteful of souvenirs – and the vast majority are fakes anyway. The green pith helmets with a red star on the front, worn first by the NVA during the American War and now by the regular Vietnamese Army, find more takers. Other items that sell like hot cakes, especially in the south, are fake Zippo lighters bearing such pithy adages as “When I die bury me face down, so the whole damn army can kiss my ass” and “We are the unwilling, led by the unqualified, doin’ the unnecessary for the ungrateful”, though again they’re very unlikely to be authentic GI issue. In Ho Chi Minh City, extravagant wooden model ships are sold in a string of shops on Hai Ba Trung, at the east side of Lam Son Square.

Finally, foodstuffs that may tempt you include coffee from the central highlands, candied strawberries and artichoke tea from Da Lat, coconut candies from the Mekong Delta, preserved miniature tangerines from Hoi An and packets of tea and dried herbs and spices from the northern highlands. As for drinks, most of the concoctions itemized in A Traditional Tipple are securely bottled. The Soc Tinh range of rice-distilled liquor makes an attractively packaged souvenir.

The police have imposed midnight closing on bars and clubs for several years now, mainly because of drugs, but also to curb general rowdiness, although you’ll always find the occasional bar that somehow manages to keep serving, particularly around De Tham in Ho Chi Minh City. That apart, the campaign against social evils should have little effect on most foreign tourists.

If you wanna travel to Vietnam but don’t know anythings about Vietnam travel, you can look at in this topic. 

>>> Tips for visiting dalat vietnam

“Social evils” and serious crime

Since liberalization and doi moi, Vietnamese society has seen an increase in prostitution, drugs – including hard drugs – and more serious crimes. These so-called “social evils” are viewed as a direct consequence of reduced controls on society and ensuing Westernization. The police have imposed midnight closing on bars and clubs for several years now, mainly because of drugs, but also to curb general rowdiness, although you’ll always find the occasional bar that somehow manages to keep serving, particularly around De Tham in Ho Chi Minh City. That apart, the campaign against social evils should have little effect on most foreign tourists.

Single Western males tend to get solicited by prostitutes in cheap provincial and seaside hotels, though more commonly by women cruising on motorbikes. Quite apart from any higher moral considerations, bear in mind that AIDS is a serious problem in Vietnam, though the epidemic has shown signs of stabilizing.

Finally, having anything to do with drugs in Vietnam is extremely unwise. At night there’s a fair amount of drug selling on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Nha Trang and even Sa Pa, and it’s not unknown for dealers to turn buyers in to the police. Fines and jail sentences are imposed for lesser offences, while the death penalty is regularly imposed for possessing, trading or smuggling larger quantities.

Military and political hazards

Not surprisingly, the Vietnamese authorities are sensitive about military installations and strategic areas – including border regions, military camps (of which there are many), bridges, airports, naval dockyards and even train stations. Anyone taking photographs in the vicinity of such sites risks having the memory card removed from their camera or being fined.

Unexploded ordnance from past conflicts still poses a threat in some areas: the problem is most acute in the Demilitarized Zone, where each year a number of local farmers, scrap-metal scavengers or children are killed or injured. Wherever you are, stick to well-trodden paths and never touch any shells or half-buried chunks of metal.

Beggars, hassle and scams

Given the number of disabled, war-wounded and unemployed in Vietnam, there are surprisingly few beggars around. Most people are actually trying hard to earn a living somehow, and many day-tours include a visit to a factory that employs disabled workers to produce handicrafts or local products.

At many tourist spots, you may well be swamped by a gaggle of children or teenagers selling cold drinks, fruit and chewing gum. Although they can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, as often as not they’re just out to practise their English and be entertained for a while. They may even turn out to be excellent guides, in which case it’s only fair that you buy something from them in return.

A common scam among taxi drivers is to tell new arrivals in a town that the hotel they ask for is closed or has moved or changed its name. Instead, they head for a hotel that pays them commission. This may work out fine (new hotels often use this method to become known), but more often than not it’s a substandard hotel and you will in any case pay over the odds since the room rate will include the driver’s commission. To avoid being ripped off, always insist on being taken to the exact address of your chosen hotel, at least just to check the story.

Another common complaint is that organized tours don’t live up to what was promised. There are more people on the tour than stated, for example, or the room doesn’t have air-conditioning, or the guide’s English is limited. If it’s a group tour and you’ve paid up front, unfortunately there’s very little you can do beyond complaining to the agent on your return; you may be lucky and get some form of compensation, but it’s very unlikely. As always, you tend to get what you pay for, so avoid signing up for dirt-cheap tours.

Women travellers

Vietnam is generally a safe country for women to travel around alone. Most Vietnamese will simply be curious as to why you are on your own and the chances of encountering any threatening behaviour are extremely rare. That said, it pays to take the normal precautions, especially late at night when there are few people on the streets and you should avoid taking a cyclo by yourself; use a taxi instead – metered taxis are generally considered safest.

Most Vietnamese women dress modestly, keeping covered from top to toe, unless their profession requires them to show off their assets. It helps to dress modestly too and to avoid wearing skimpy shorts and vests, which are considered by some men an invitation to paid sex. Topless sunbathing, even beside a hotel pool, is a complete no-no.
See more: Tips for visiting Sa pa Vietnam in this winter

By the time we arrived there were only basic rooms in the basement available which we weren’t interested in so we went into the street where a woman waiting for tourists took us further along Bui Thi Xuan St to her Phuong Huy hotel.

If you wanna travel to Dalat but don’t know anythings about dalat travel guide, you can look at in this topic.

>>> thing to do in dalat

On arrival the Sinh Cafe open tour bus circles the Xuan Huong Lake and drops you at their base at the Trung Cang Hotel (4A Bui Thi Xuan St). In their office in HCMC they’d offered us a room here for $20 US a night be we’d decided to look for an alternative ourselves. With hindsight we should have taken the room.

By the time we arrived there were only basic rooms in the basement available which we weren’t interested in so we went into the street where a woman waiting for tourists took us further along Bui Thi Xuan St to her Phuong Huy hotel. This place wasn’t as fancy as the Trung Cang but at $7 US a night for a large clean room in a pleasant hotel run by the family you can’t complain. In general there are plenty rooms available along Bui Thi Xuan St to suit all tastes and wallets.

Almost as soon as you appear in public in Dalat you’ll be approached by men on motorbikes claiming to be ‘Easy Riders’. These guys will take you around on the back of their vintage motorbikes on day trips to the surrounding area or on extended tours.

We met several of them taking tourists from Dalat through the Central Highlands to Hoi An and some tourists have enjoyed the experience so much that they have continued all the way to Hanoi.

It seems that the ‘Easy Rider’ idea was started by a local teacher who had a restricted number of riders but as their notoriety grew every local man with a bike started calling himself an ‘Easy Rider’. From the people we met in the Central Highlands, riders and passengers, there is no doubt that this is a great way to travel and was the highlight of SE Asia for some travellers. However, in Dalat these men become a real pain offering their sevices from the moment you step off the bus and wherever they see you in town. They’ll follow you to your hotel insisting on showing you their notebook of recommendations from previous clients and really don’t give you any peace. The best thing to do is tell them that you aren’t interested from the beginning then take some time to decide what you want to do before agreeing any deal with them. Don’t worry, they’ll never be far away if you want one.

See more: Tips when you travel to danang

Throughout the Guide, we’ve highlighted places to shop, but in general you’ll find the best quality, choice and prices in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Hoi An.

>>> Old quarter is a place that you should visit once, a place with a very strange feeling, with lots of delicious food, friendly people, who have not come, please come right away ….

Souvenir–hunters will find rich pickings in Vietnam, whose eye–catching handicrafts and mementos range from colonial currency and stamps to fabrics and basketware crafted by the country’s ethnic minorities, and from limpet–like conical hats to fake US Army–issue Zippo lighters. Throughout the Guide, we’ve highlighted places to shop, but in general you’ll find the best quality, choice and prices in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Hoi An. Though you’ll find more shops now have fixed prices, particularly those catering to tourists, in markets and rural areas prices are almost always open to negotiation.

Clothing, arts and crafts

Few Western tourists leave Vietnam without the obligatory conical hat, or non la, sewn from rain- and sun-proof palm fronds; at around 25,000đ for a basic version, they’re definitely an affordable keepsake. From the city of Hué comes a more elaborate version, the poem hat, or non bai tho, in whose brim are inlays which, when held up to the light, reveal lines of poetry or scenes from Vietnamese legend. Vietnamese women traditionally wear the ao dai – baggy silk trousers under a knee-length silk tunic slit up both sides. Extraordinarily elegant, ao dai can be bought off the peg anywhere in the country for around $30; or, if you can spare a few days for fitting, you can have one tailor-made for $40 or so, depending on the material.

Local silk is sold by the metre in Vietnam’s more sizeable markets and in countless outlets in Hoi An, along Dong Khoi in Ho Chi Minh City and on Hanoi’s Hang Gai. These same shops also sell ready-made clothes and accessories, including embroidered silk handbags and shoes, and most also offer tailoring. In general, Hoi An’s tailors have the best reputation, either working from a pattern book or copying an item you take along. Just make sure you allow plenty of time for fittings.

Embroidered cotton, in the form of tablecloths, sheets and pillowcases, also makes a popular souvenir. Meanwhile, the sartorial needs of backpackers are well catered for in major tourist destinations, where T-shirt sellers do brisk business. Predictably popular designs include a portrait of Uncle Ho, and the yellow Communist star on a red background.

Traditional handicrafts
Of the many types of traditional handicrafts on offer in Vietnam, lacquerware (son mai) is among the most beautiful. It is also incredibly light, so won’t add significantly to your baggage weight. Made by applying multiple layers of resin onto an article and then polishing vigorously to achieve a deep, lustrous sheen, lacquer is used to decorate furniture, boxes, chopsticks and bangles and is sometimes embellished with eggshell or inlays of mother-of-pearl (which is also used in its own right, on screens and pictures) – common motifs are animals, fish and elaborate scrolling. More recently, the lacquerware tradition has been hijacked by more contemporary icons, and it’s now possible to buy colourful lacquerware paintings of Mickey Mouse, Tin Tin and Batman. Imported synthetic lacquer has also made an appearance. These brightly coloured, almost metallic, finishes may not be for the purist, but they make for eye-catching bowls, vases and all sorts of household items.

Bronze, brass and jade are also put to good use, appearing in various forms such as carvings, figurines and jewellery. In Hué, brass and copper teapots are popular. Of the porcelain and ceramics available across the country, thigh-high ceramic elephants and other animal figurines are the quirkiest buys – though decidedly tricky to carry home. Look out, too, for boxes and other knick-knacks made from wonderfully aromatic cinnamon and camphor wood. For something a little more culturally elevated, you could invest in a water-puppet or a traditional musical instrument.

Vietnam’s ethnic minorities are producing increasingly sophisticated fare for the tourist market. Fabrics – sometimes shot through with shimmering gold braid – are their main asset, sold in lengths and also made into purses, shoulder bags and other accoutrements. The minorities of the central highlands are adept at basketwork, fashioning backpacks, baskets and mats, and bamboo pipes. Hanoi probably has the greatest variety of minority handicrafts on sale, though you’ll also find plenty available in Ho Chi Minh City. In the far north, Sa Pa is a popular place to buy Hmong clothes, bags and skull-caps, and you’ll find lengths of woven fabrics or embroidery in markets throughout the northern mountains.

Paintings
A healthy fine arts scene exists in Vietnam, and painting in particular is thriving. In the galleries of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An you’ll find exquisite works in oil, watercolour, lacquer, charcoal and silk weaving by the country’s leading artists. Hanoi is the best single place to look for contempor

See more: best time to visit vietnam

Appeared in Hanoi for very long time, but egg coffee has never been out-of-date. Until now and then, it must always be a really hot trend among Hanoi citizens, who love sipping a cup of egg coffee in the weekend morning as a way to balance the mind after a busy week of working and studying. That’s also a unique cultural feature of Hanoi.

However, this kind of coffee is not available at every coffee shop in Hanoi. Giang Café and Dinh Café are most popular egg coffee brand-names. So, make sure that you get to right addresses at 106 Yen Phu Street or 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street (Giang Cafe), or 13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street (Dinh Café) to have greatest egg coffee.

Budget

Bon Mua Guesthouse, 1B1 Bui Thi Xuan St (Between intersection with Phan Boi Chau and Hotel Dai Loi), ☎ +84 9 1720 9530. Clean, basic guesthouse. USD5+.  

Dreams Hotel, 151 Phan Dinh Phung St, ☎ +84 6 3383 3748, e-mail: dreams@hcm.vnn.vn. Clean rooms, friendly staff and big breakfast. They also have sauna, steam, and hot tub free of charge for guests (16:00-19:00).  

Hang Nga Guest House, Bui Thi Xuan St (opposite Trung Cang Hotel), ☎ +84 9 0310 0132, e-mail: mrgentle_tour@yahoo.com. Friendly staff, clean rooms, good English spoken. USD7+.  

Mr.Peace backpacker's house, 3/8 Hai ba Trung St, ☎ +84 977 089 159, +84 633 828456, e-mail: peacebackpacker@gmail.com. Friendly, cosy, clean, good atmosphere, centrally located, excellent English speaking, crazy, may have family dinner with you. Good price. usd6+.  

Hoa Binh 1 Hotel (Peace Hotel 1), ☎ +84 6 3382 2787. It is anything but peaceful, and fills to capacity on weekends, but staff are friendly. There is a cafe next door. USD10-15.  

Mai Tam Guesthouse, 2B Le Thanh Ton St, ☎ +84 6 382 5363. Clean family-run guesthouse a little outside city centre in a Vietnamese residential area (about 1.5 km, 20 min walk). The family rents out scooters for USD5/day. They also have a convenience shop downstairs. 150,000 dong.  

My Dream Hotel, 213A Phan Đình Phùng, ☎ +84 9 1856 4472, e-mail: dalateasyrider@gmail.com. USD7-10.  

Nam Ky Hotel, 11 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, ☎ +84 6 3382 4493, +84 9 1378 9449. Nice view from the rooms.  

Ngoc My Hotel, 01 Le Thi Hong Gam St. Nice location with Xuan Huong Lake view and clean rooms, balconies facing the lake. USD25+.  

Peace Hotel. Free Wi-Fi, breakfast extra for USD1. USD7+.  

Sakura Hotel, Bui Thi Xuan St. Cheap hotel near the student centre.  

Les Sapins 60 Hotel, 60 Truong Cong Dinh St (Next door to Peace Cafe), ☎ +84 6 3383 0839. Recently renovated, clean rooms, free Wi-Fi and Internet in the lobby, breakfast for USD1 available. USD10-20.  

Thanh Huong Hotel, 02 Bui Thi Xuan St, ☎ +84 6 3382 7699, e-mail: thu_lyttkn@yahoo.com. Includes cable TV, Wi-Fi and fridge. Some rooms have balconies.  

Van Anh Hotel, Bui Thi Xuan St. The staff speak good English, rooms are clean with cable TV, free Wi-Fi. Very motorcycle-friendly. USD10+.  

Villa Vista Dalat, Ngo Thi Sy, Ward 4, Dalat (visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/villavistadalat for directions), ☎ +84 939 500 236, e-mail: villavistadalat@gmail.com. This is a brand new villa, with breathtaking views from all rooms, fabulous food, great coffee, tours, transportation options, live music and personal service. from USD30.  

Pine Hill homestay Dalat, e-mail: pinehilldalat@gmail.com. Home on top of the hill overlooking the city. 3 mins from King's summer palace, 10 mins walk from crazy house. With kitchen.  

Splurge

Ana Mandara Villas, Le Lai St. 65 rooms within 17 refurbished French colonial villas. A bit far from the city centre and only recommended to those who like to walk, what with large distances between the accommodations and the other services of the resort. Charming and for the adventurous. Must like sharing living rooms and other services, as each villa houses several rooms, hence the sharing issue.  

Dalat Du Parc Heritage Boutique Hotel. Hotel built in 1922, part of the original Dalat Palace compound, with 143 rooms and one ambassador suite. Style and glory of yesteryear, a very old fashioned lift and great views from the rooms at the back of the hotel.  

Dalat Edensee Lake Resort & Spa, Tuyen Lam Lake - Zone VII.2, ☎ +84 6 3383 1515. Mountain and garden view, Eden suite, all equipped with 32-inch LCD TV, king bed and minibar. Free Wi-Fi. Nam Xuan, Eden Lake Café, and Riesling restaurants within the compound. USD139+.  

The Dalat Palace Heritage, 12 Tran Phu St. 43 luxury rooms and suites, one presidential suite. Built in the art deco-style of the 1920s with imperial dining rooms and facilities. It has beautiful gardens. It was conceived as the very centre of the city and dominates with great views onto the Xuan Huong Lake. It also has an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, and spa.  

Empress Hotel Dalat, 5 Nguyen Thai Hoc St.   

Hoang Anh Dalat Resort. The resort covers five hectares, is comprised of six villas with 75 rooms in total.  

Binh An village (Taxi; Resort's bus), ☎ +84 63 3800 999, e-mail: dalat@binhanvillage.com. Good place to sleep, great view, but far from the city (updated Mar 2015 |  )

Da Lat has emerged as Vietnam’s adventure sports capital and Mui Ne its surf city, though some sports like mountain biking can be done throughout the country.

>>> things to do in Halong

If you wanna travel to Vetnam but don’t know anythings about Vietnam travel, you can look at in this topic to see things to do in vietnam. It’s really useful.

Though Vietnam was slow to develop its huge potential as an outdoor adventure destination, things have really changed in the last few years. Apart from trekking in the mountainous north, visitors can now also go rock–climbing, canyoning, sea kayaking or kitesurfing, among other activities. Da Lat has emerged as Vietnam’s adventure sports capital and Mui Ne its surf city, though some sports like mountain biking can be done throughout the country.

Trekking

The easiest and most popular area for trekking is in the northwest mountains around Sa Pa and, to a lesser extent, Mai Chau. Sa Pa is also the starting point for ascents of the country’s highest peak, Fan Si Pan, a challenge to be undertaken only by experienced hikers. Other options include hiking around Kon Tum or Da Lat in the central highlands or in one of Vietnam’s many national parks, including Cat Ba, Cuc Phuong, Bach Ma, Cat Tien and Yok Don. In Yok Don you can even go elephant trekking, though prices are rather steep.

There’s no problem about striking out on your own for a day’s hiking. However, for anything more adventurous, particularly if you want to overnight in the villages, you’ll need to make arrangements in advance. This is easily done either before you arrive in Vietnam or through local tour agents, most of which offer organized tours and tailor-made packages. In most cases you can also make arrangements through guesthouses and guides on the spot. Note that it’s essential to take a guide if you are keen to get off the beaten track: many areas are still sensitive about the presence of foreigners.

Biking

Mountain biking is becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam. The classic ride is from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, a journey of between two and three weeks. Previously, this would have taken you along Highway 1, battling with trucks and buses, but now the more switched-on tour companies are offering excursions down the Ho Chi Minh Highway which runs along the western Truong Son mountain chain, and is so far thankfully free of heavy traffic.

The area around Sa Pa is a focus for biking activity, with tour operators offering excursions to suit all levels of experience and fitness. You can choose from half-day excursions to multi-day outings including overnighting in minority villages. Other good areas for exploring by bike include Mai Chau, Bac Ha, Da Lat and the Mekong Delta.

North Vietnam is also popular among the motorbiking fraternity. Specialist outfits in Hanoi organize tailor-made itineraries taking you way off the beaten track.

See more: best places to visit in vietnam  

If you wanna travel to Vietnam but don’t know anythings about Vietnam travel, you can look at in this topic. 

Since liberalization and doi moi, Vietnamese society has seen an increase in prostitution, drugs – including hard drugs – and more serious crimes.

>>> Tips for visiting dalat vietnam

“Social evils” and serious crime

Since liberalization and doi moi, Vietnamese society has seen an increase in prostitution, drugs – including hard drugs – and more serious crimes. These so-called “social evils” are viewed as a direct consequence of reduced controls on society and ensuing Westernization. The police have imposed midnight closing on bars and clubs for several years now, mainly because of drugs, but also to curb general rowdiness, although you’ll always find the occasional bar that somehow manages to keep serving, particularly around De Tham in Ho Chi Minh City. That apart, the campaign against social evils should have little effect on most foreign tourists.

Single Western males tend to get solicited by prostitutes in cheap provincial and seaside hotels, though more commonly by women cruising on motorbikes. Quite apart from any higher moral considerations, bear in mind that AIDS is a serious problem in Vietnam, though the epidemic has shown signs of stabilizing.

Finally, having anything to do with drugs in Vietnam is extremely unwise. At night there’s a fair amount of drug selling on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Nha Trang and even Sa Pa, and it’s not unknown for dealers to turn buyers in to the police. Fines and jail sentences are imposed for lesser offences, while the death penalty is regularly imposed for possessing, trading or smuggling larger quantities.

Military and political hazards

Not surprisingly, the Vietnamese authorities are sensitive about military installations and strategic areas – including border regions, military camps (of which there are many), bridges, airports, naval dockyards and even train stations. Anyone taking photographs in the vicinity of such sites risks having the memory card removed from their camera or being fined.

Unexploded ordnance from past conflicts still poses a threat in some areas: the problem is most acute in the Demilitarized Zone, where each year a number of local farmers, scrap-metal scavengers or children are killed or injured. Wherever you are, stick to well-trodden paths and never touch any shells or half-buried chunks of metal.

Beggars, hassle and scams

Given the number of disabled, war-wounded and unemployed in Vietnam, there are surprisingly few beggars around. Most people are actually trying hard to earn a living somehow, and many day-tours include a visit to a factory that employs disabled workers to produce handicrafts or local products.

At many tourist spots, you may well be swamped by a gaggle of children or teenagers selling cold drinks, fruit and chewing gum. Although they can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, as often as not they’re just out to practise their English and be entertained for a while. They may even turn out to be excellent guides, in which case it’s only fair that you buy something from them in return.

A common scam among taxi drivers is to tell new arrivals in a town that the hotel they ask for is closed or has moved or changed its name. Instead, they head for a hotel that pays them commission. This may work out fine (new hotels often use this method to become known), but more often than not it’s a substandard hotel and you will in any case pay over the odds since the room rate will include the driver’s commission. To avoid being ripped off, always insist on being taken to the exact address of your chosen hotel, at least just to check the story.

Another common complaint is that organized tours don’t live up to what was promised. There are more people on the tour than stated, for example, or the room doesn’t have air-conditioning, or the guide’s English is limited. If it’s a group tour and you’ve paid up front, unfortunately there’s very little you can do beyond complaining to the agent on your return; you may be lucky and get some form of compensation, but it’s very unlikely. As always, you tend to get what you pay for, so avoid signing up for dirt-cheap tours.

Women travellers

Vietnam is generally a safe country for women to travel around alone. Most Vietnamese will simply be curious as to why you are on your own and the chances of encountering any threatening behaviour are extremely rare. That said, it pays to take the normal precautions, especially late at night when there are few people on the streets and you should avoid taking a cyclo by yourself; use a taxi instead – metered taxis are generally considered safest.

Most Vietnamese women dress modestly, keeping covered from top to toe, unless their profession requires them to show off their assets. It helps to dress modestly too and to avoid wearing skimpy shorts and vests, which are considered by some men an invitation to paid sex. Topless sunbathing, even beside a hotel pool, is a complete no-no.
See more: Tips for visiting Sa pa Vietnam in this winter

drugs past their shelf life and even counterfeit medicines are rife, so inspect packaging carefully, check use-by dates – and bring anything you know you’re likely to need from home, including oral contraceptives. Tampons and reliable, imported brands of condoms (bao cao su) are sold in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, but don’t count on getting them easily elsewhere.

Vietnam’s health problems read like a dictionary of tropical medicine. Diseases that are under control elsewhere in Southeast Asia have been sustained here by poverty, dietary deficiencies, poor healthcare and the disruption caused by half a century of war. The situation is improving, however, and by coming prepared and taking a few simple precautions while in the country, you’re unlikely to come down with anything worse than a cold or a dose of travellers’ diarrhoea.

When planning your trip it’s wise to visit a doctor as early as possible, preferably at least two months before you leave, to allow time to complete any recommended courses of vaccinations. It’s also advisable to have a trouble-shooting dental check-up – and remember that you generally need to start taking anti-malarial tablets at least one week before your departure.

For up-to-the-minute information, it may be worth visiting a specialized travel clinic; most clinics also sell travel-associated accessories, including mosquito nets and first-aid kits.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required for Vietnam (except yellow fever if you’re coming directly from an area where the disease is endemic), but typhoid and hepatitis A jabs are recommended; it’s also worth ensuring you’re up to date with boosters such as tetanus and polio. Additional injections to consider, depending on the season and risk of exposure, are hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, meningitis and rabies. All these immunizations can be obtained at international clinics in Hanoi Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, but it’s less hassle and usually cheaper to get them done at home. Get all your shots recorded on an International Certificate of Vaccination and carry this with your passport when travelling abroad.

For protection against hepatitis A, which is spread by contaminated food and water, the vaccine is expensive but extremely effective – an initial injection followed by a booster after six to twelve months provides immunity for up to ten years. Hepatitis B, like the HIV virus, can be passed on through unprotected sexual contact, blood transfusions and dirty needles. The very effective vaccine (three injections over six months) is recommended for anyone in a high-risk category, including those travelling extensively in rural areas for prolonged periods, with access to only basic medical care. It’s also now possible – and cheaper – to have a combined vaccination against both hepatitis A and B: the course comprises three injections over six months.

The risks of contracting Japanese encephalitis are extremely small, but, as the disease is untreatable, those travelling for a month or more in the countryside, especially in the north during and soon after the summer rainy season (June–Nov), should consider immunization. The course consists of two or three injections over a month with the last dose administered at least ten days before departure. Note that it is not recommended for those with liver, heart or kidney disorders, or for multiple-allergy sufferers. If your plans include long stays in remote areas your doctor may also recommend vaccination against meningitis (a single shot) and rabies.

Mosquito–borne diseases

Both the Red River and Mekong deltas (including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) have few incidences of malaria. The coastal plain north of Nha Trang is also considered relatively safe. Malaria occurs frequently in the highlands and rural areas, notably the central highlands, as well as the southern provinces of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu and Tay Ninh. The majority of cases involve the most dangerous strain, Plasmodium falciparum, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.

The key preventive measure is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes (which carry the disease), but if you’re travelling in high-risk areas it’s advisable to take preventive tablets.

Mosquitoes are also responsible for transmitting dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis. Dengue is carried by a variety of mosquitoes active in the daytime (particularly two hours after sunrise and several hours before sunset) and occurs mostly in the Mekong Delta, including Ho Chi Minh City, though the chances of being infected remain small. There is a more dangerous version called dengue haemorrhage fever, which primarily affects children but is extremely rare among foreign visitors to Vietnam travel. If you notice an unusual tendency to bleed or bruise, seek medical advice immediately.

There are several things you can do to avoid getting bitten. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, so at these times wear long sleeves, trousers and socks, avoid dark colours and perfumes, which attract mosquitoes, and put repellent on all exposed skin. Sprays and lotions containing around thirty to forty percent DEET (diethyltoluamide) are effective and can also be used to treat clothes, but the chemical is toxic: keep it away from eyes and open wounds.

Many hotels and guesthouses provide mosquito nets over beds or meshing on windows and doors. Air-conditioning and fans also help keep mosquitoes at bay, as do mosquito coils and knockdown insecticide sprays (available locally), though none of these measures is as effective as a decent net.

Bites and creepy–crawlies

Bed bugs, fleas, lice or scabies can be picked up from dirty bedclothes, though this is relatively unusual in Vietnam. Try not to scratch bites, which easily become septic. Ticks picked up walking through scrub may carry a strain of typhus; carry out regular body inspections and remove ticks promptly.

Rabies is contracted by being bitten, or even licked on broken skin or the eyes, by an infected animal. The best strategy is to give all animals, especially dogs, cats and monkeys, a wide berth.

Vietnam has several poisonous snakes but in general snakes steer clear of humans and it’s very rare to get bitten. Avoid walking through long grass or undergrowth, and wear boots when walking off-road. If bitten, immobilize the limb (most snake bites occur on the lower leg) to slow down absorption of the venom and remove any tight-fitting socks or other clothing from around the wound. It’s important to seek medical assistance as quickly as possible. It helps if you can take the (dead) snake to be identified, or at least remember what it looked like.

Leeches are more common and, though harmless, can be unpleasant. Long trousers, sleeves and socks help prevent them getting a grip. The best way to get rid of leeches is to burn them off with a lighted match or cigarette; alternatively rub alcohol or salt onto them.

Worms enter the body either via contaminated food, or through the skin, especially the soles of the feet. You may notice worms in your stools, or experience other indications such as mild abdominal pain leading, very rarely, to acute intestinal blockage (roundworm, the most common), an itchy anus (threadworm) or anaemia (hookworm). An infestation is easily treated with worming tablets from a pharmacy.

Heat trouble

Don’t underestimate the strength of the tropical sun: sunburn can be avoided by restricting your exposure to the midday sun and liberal use of high-factor sunscreens. Drinking plenty of water will prevent dehydration, but if you do become dehydrated – signs are infrequent or irregular urination – drink a salt and sugar solution.

Heatstroke is more serious and may require hospital treatment. Indications are a high temperature, lack of sweating, a fast pulse and red skin. Reducing your body temperature with a lukewarm shower will provide initial relief.

High humidity often causes heat rashes, prickly heat and fungal infections. Prevention and cure are the same: wear loose clothes made of natural fibres, wash frequently and dry off thoroughly afterwards. Talcum powder helps, particularly zinc oxide-based products (prickly heat powder), as does the use of mild antiseptic soap.

Sexually transmitted diseases

Until recently Vietnam carried out very little screening for sex workers, injecting drug users and other high-risk groups. As a result, sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea, syphilis and AIDS had been flourishing, though fortunately awareness is growing and the number of AIDS victims, at least, is levelling out. It is, therefore, extremely unwise to contemplate casual unprotected sex, and bear in mind that Vietnamese condoms (bao cao su) are often poor-quality (more reliable imported varieties are available in major cities).

Getting medical help

Pharmacies can generally help with minor injuries or ailments and in major towns you will usually find a pharmacist who speaks English. The selection of reliable Asian and Western products on the market is improving rapidly, and both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi now have well-stocked pharmacies. That said, drugs past their shelf life and even counterfeit medicines are rife, so inspect packaging carefully, check use-by dates – and bring anything you know you’re likely to need from home, including oral contraceptives. Tampons and reliable, imported brands of condoms (bao cao su) are sold in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, but don’t count on getting them easily elsewhere.

Local hospitals can also treat minor problems, but in a real emergency your best bet is to head for Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Hospitals in both these cities can handle most eventualities and you also have the option of one of the excellent international medical centres. Note that doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services rendered; you will then have to seek reimbursement from your insurance company (make sure you get receipts for any payments you make).

See more: Tips for visiting Sapa Vietnam in this winter

So why students? Why not others? Why not someone matured and experienced? Well, 85% Vietnamese age from 15-22 can communicate using English to some extent, at least well enough to give you direction around town. This percentage is even better in big cities, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang. Ortherwise, 50% adults in Vietnam are incapable of speaking English, those who can would not be willing to help or just expect something in return. That results in traveling services, which only makes sense if tourists choose to travel in large groups.

Do you want someone that actually knows your destinations to guide you for free? Don’t you hate being ripped off by street vendors in Vietnam? Do you want to explore hidden locations and try out cheap, tasty food that even the locals have no idea about? If you answer yes to any of these questions, than you might want to ask a local student to be your guide during your time in town.

So why students? Why not others? Why not someone matured and experienced? Well, 85% Vietnamese age from 15-22 can communicate using English to some extent, at least well enough to give you direction around town. This percentage is even better in big cities, such asHanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang. Ortherwise, 50% adults in Vietnam are incapable of speaking English, those who can would not be willing to help or just expect something in return. That results in traveling services, which only makes sense if tourists choose to travel in large groups. For backpackers, that would go against everything they set out to do. What makes these young people exceptionally special is that they are willing to help because they enjoy it. Just meeting foreigners alone is a great opportunity for young people to improve their language skills as well as a chance to go out on the town along with the sense of doing something helpful.

Should you be backpacking in Vietnam, expect a tough time. You do not have to be rich to travel, but that also means you cannot afford to be ripped off. If you just happen to be Caucasian, or African, or even Chinese, paying the same as the locals only occurs in places like supermarkets. If something does not come with a price tag, you will be asked to pay for more than normally. I have personally experienced this myself when I, along with a friend, pretended to be Chinese and went shopping in street vendors. I simply looked at some fruits, the vendor said something mean about the country, and then suggested a price that is too ridiculous to even mention. Bargaining is a skill to have while traveling, but having a local that can do it for you is even better.

Students will know the town that they live and study in, better than those who work in it, that includes food, accommodations, transportation, entertainment, etc.

Food is the most popular topic in every young people’s talkings. The thing about teenagers and food is that, they know where to get the best exotic dishes for the best of price. After all, they are only students, and that is what you expect when you do not have enough money to go to 5-star restaurants. These places are usually food stalls or shacks, often located near high schools and universities. And when I say exotic, I mean these dishes are trends among young people, which means adults have little idea about them. I am sure you have heard of Pho, Bun cha, Spring roll… But I am certain that things like Stuffed Pizzas, Sticky Rice Ice Cream or Fried Sticky Rice might not be on the advertisement that you read. Luckily, some young people could introduce these to you so you will not miss out on the real goodies.

Most students use bus as their main form of transportation, therefore they can give you guides around the town without having to take a taxi or walk distances. Bus routes in some cities might be to complicated to grasp or just simply too disturbing to look at. Yet somehow university students know them like the back of their hands.

College life is all about entertainment. Young people these days enjoy blockbuster movies to partying all night in bars and clubs. Vietnam is a country full of entertainment activities. If you are a fan of having fun, if you want a life of a party, having these guys around can make your visit a rocking experience.

Yes, accommodation is also something these guys know a little bit about. They might offer you a place at their home if there is enough room. You can choose to accept if that is not an issue. However, these guys do know about hotels and motels that are affordable. For example, in Hanoi, a double room in city centrals can cost from 200.000VND. But some young people with enough experience in the matter can recommend you a place that cost only 130.000VND.

So how do you find one of these “Ultimate Tour Guides”? Just find out from any interest that you might have in common. For example, if you are a fan of Linkin Park, just go to their fan club page and look for a Vietnamese, these are usually young people that speak English fluently so they fit the description perfectly. Ask them where they live and make your way there first, so be sure to look for someone who lives in a major city and start your Vietnamadventure there. You can even ask them to join you in your quest as these people are probably just as adventurous as you are but just lack the motivation. There are groups of young Vietnamese on social network who loves to travel and explore their country, so you can try and find the perfect companions to your exciting lifestyle.