Avoid These Common Mistakes When Visiting Vietnam

Not many people realize this, but Vietnam is actually a wonderful vacation destination. It’s a beautiful country with a lovely culture and lively cities. Not to mention the incredible history and amazing architecture. So if you’re adventurous, you definitely need to check out Vietnam. But if you do, make sure you don’t make these common rookie mistakes!

DON’T AVOID THE STREET FOOD

A lot of Westerners will go to Vietnam and just assume any street food is dangerous and not to be trusted. But in reality, it’s some of the best food in the country. And it’s the heart of Vietnam’s culinary culture. There are, of course, some stuff that should be avoided. But as long as you stick to sweets, breads, and anything hot, you’re good. Also, you can never go wrong by going wherever the crowds already are! And these places definitely get crowded as they’re always popular with the locals.

DON’T FORGET TO TAKE IN THE SCENERY

There are plenty of amazing cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, and Hue that are definitely worthy of a visit. But while you should definitely check out at least one of them when you go to Vietnam, do not make the mistake of not checking out the countryside. There are beautiful mountain ranges, long, warm beaches, and, of course, the incredible Mekong River Delta. A vacation in Vietnam without a trip outside of the city should be a crime.

DON’T VISIT DURING TET

Get is the Vietnamese New Year. And while it can be an interesting time to visit the country, it’s probably not the best time. Why? Because almost everything shuts down during Tet. All of the lively markets, historic monuments, and breathtaking temples will likely be closed. So, unless you’re going to visit family or friends, Tet is the worst time of year to visit Vietnam.

The exact dates of Tet change year to year, as well. So just do a little research and make sure you take your trip before or after.

DON’T DRESS TOO CASUALLY WHEN VISITING MONUMENTS, SHRINES, AND TEMPLES

Vietnam has some wonderfully warm months and is a great place for a hot summer vacation filled with days lounging on the beach. But if you also plan on visiting some of the historic shrines, monuments, and temples in that same trip, don’t make the mistake of going in your bikini or board shorts. For the most part, it’s just plain disrespectful. But at some places, it’s downright against the rules and will get you kicked out.

So cover those shoulders, lose the hat, and be polite!

DON’T SKIP THE BEACHES!

The beaches in Vietnam are some of the most beautiful and relaxing in the entire world. And while there are the hotspots like Da Nang and Nha Trang, there are plenty of other amazing beaches in the country that are much quieter and peaceful. Some of the lesser-known but must-see beaches include Phu Quoc, Hue, and Hoi An.

And if you’re really adventurous, the dune-covered beaches of Mui Ne are a sight to be seen and the go-to waters for avid windsurfers.

DON’T IGNORE THE TROUBLING HISTORY

While Vietnam is quickly becoming a popular vacation destination with lively cities touting vibrant nighttime activities, there is still a complicated past to Vietnam. We’re all aware of the Vietnam War, but the Communist country has plenty of other troubling activity in their past. But, while we think we know all there is to know about America’s involvement with the country, there is a lot to be learned from the Vietnamese perspective.

So if you venture to this beautiful and complicated country, don’t be so foolish as to not take the time to learn about their own past, their own mistakes, their own tragedies. There are plenty of amazing museums and historical sites throughout the country that are worth a visit. So be sure to do a little research on wherever you end up and check out at least a few of them while you’re there.