First Time in Vietnam: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Vietnam is not a complicated destination, but it is a layered one. The customs are distinct, the traffic is genuinely chaotic, and the food varies dramatically between north and south. None of this is a problem if you understand it before you land. Here is what I tell every client who is visiting for the first time.

Visas: Simpler Than You Think

UK citizens can obtain an e-Visa online (evisa.gov.vn) for stays up to 90 days. Apply at least 3 working days before travel; approval usually comes within 24 hours. Cost: US$25. Save the approval letter and print it — some immigration officers still want a hard copy. If you are connecting through Bangkok or Singapore on the way, you may need that country's transit requirements too.

Health: What the Doctor Actually Needs to Tell You

No vaccinations are legally required for entry from the UK, but the NHS recommends Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and an up-to-date Tetanus. Malaria risk exists in some rural areas (not in cities or Halong Bay) — your GP will advise based on your specific itinerary. Travel insurance is non-negotiable. Carry a small medical kit: antihistamine, rehydration salts, and stomach remedies are your most likely needs.

Money: Dong, Cards, and the ATM Game

The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the official currency. Rates are roughly 30,000 VND to £1. ATMs are everywhere in cities (Vietcombank and BIDV have the most reliable machines) and most charge a small fee per transaction. Major hotels, restaurants, and shops accept cards; markets and street food stalls are cash only. Do not bother with Vietnamese currency before you leave the UK — the rates are poor. Withdraw at the airport or your hotel on arrival.

The One Mistake Every First-Timer Makes

Trying to do too much. I have seen it a hundred times: an ambitious itinerary that strings together Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Halong Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City in 12 days. The result is exhaustion, not experience. Pick your moments. Two or three regions, done slowly, will give you infinitely more than seven regions done frantically. This is exactly why we recommend building your itinerary with a specialist before you book flights.

Etiquette: Small Details, Big Impact

Remove your shoes at temple entrances and when entering a Vietnamese home. Dress modestly at religious sites (shoulders and knees covered). Avoid pointing your feet at people or at altars. When eating, pass food with both hands and avoid sticking chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice (it resembles incense at a funeral). These are not rigid rules — Vietnamese people are extraordinarily warm and forgiving — but small gestures of respect are always appreciated.

One last thing: the food. Do not be timid. The bun bo Hue in Hue, the cao lau in Hoi An, the banh mi in Da Nang, the pho at Pho Thin on Dinh Tien Hoang in Hanoi — these are not just meals. They are the whole point.