With the culture going back over one thousand year, Vietnam – a unified and independent nation has interested numerous travellers annually. Besides this glory culture, the history in abundance also contributes to the fascination of this S-shaped country. Carefully planning your first trip to Vietnam will be an indispensible part of your preparation as this definitely makes your visit as enjoyable and safe as possible. In more detail, some what you should search for include must-visit destinations, the best time of year for the trip, how to attain your tourist visa and book your accommodation.
Do research on where you want to go
Of course, for the first trip in Vietnam, you need to decide where you wish to go exactly because Vietnam lasts in many provinces and cities with small towns, some of which are famous for historic landmarks or world heritage sites. You can find them in a list of 10 places to visit in Vietnam to imagine where and what you will explore during the trip. The most impressive tourist spots listed here will be useful hints for you: Halong Bay, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, Mui Ne, Sapa, Hue, Hoi An ancient town, Can Tho, and so forth.
Read more: Signature Halong Cruise price from $231
Choose the best time to visit Vietnam
Depending on each area of Vietnam and tourists’ interests, the best time for the trip to Vietnam will be flexibly chosen. Generally, if you love experiencing remarkable traditional Vietnamese festivals and ceremonies, the spring (about November-April) should be the right time to begin the journey. Furthermore, compared with the rest of the year, the weather of this period is cooler, drier, and really ideal for savoring and exploring everything from the North to the South.
Apply for a Visa
Obviously, a passport at your local post office will be a must before you depart for any foreign country in the world. As for a visa requirement, before entering Vietnam, foreign tourists will be required the valid one. However, the tourists from some countries are exempt from this entry visa requirement; you can read visa policy of Vietnam for tourists to grab more information about landing in Vietnam without visas.
Book your Accommodation
Accommodation in Vietnam is basically divided into 3 genres, consisting of budget accommodation, mid- and upper-range accommodation, and homestay.
Budget accommodation is considered as a very cheap type of accommodation, which is just one bed in one dormitory, and easily found in Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi, and Hue ($6/one bed).
Mid-and upper-range accomodation reaches the high level of hotel service. With around $30-75/room per night, this type is really comfortable and decorated with air-conditioning, phone, furniture, fridge, hot water, and satellite TV. Hanoi’s Metropole and Ho Chi Minh’s Continental are two typical hints.
Taking a Vietnam tour package, you may be provided with a homestay in a minority village at highlands, such as Sapa, Mai Chau Valley, Pleiku, or Kontum. Besides, Mekong Delta tours also offer this unique sort of accommodation.
Decide whether you should travel alone or join a tour
Because it is your first trip to Vietnam, you will get anxious about something like overpaying for goods, being robbed, or getting lost. Therefore, the best way to avoid those pitfalls is to join an organized group tour, which will definitely make everything during the journey smoother. On the other hand, traveling alone is also nice, but you make sure that you can find a trustworthy tour guide who will bring you worthy experiences.
Exchange your money
In most supermarkets, large hotels, shopping malls, and tourist hotspots, U.S. dollars are used normally, but it’s advised that you should exchange your currency for Vietnamese dongs in case buying goods at small markets requires. This exchanging may be at the airport and banks.
Delve into Vietnamese Cuisine
It’s not difficult to find out traditional Vietnamese recipes on the Internet, but you need to know more where you can enjoy many different types of Vietnamese cuisine for your first trip to this country. Each area of Vietnam will get you excited by its specialties, such as Mekong Delta with coconut candy and fried ruffled gourami fish, Saigon with spring rolls, Hanoi famous for Pho, etc.
