Vietnam: Trip Preparation & Destination Information

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About Vietnam

Overview

Forty-five million motorbikes are in harmony with the sights and sounds of the colorful cities. The beauty and culture are unchanged from a time in history that society will remember with sadness. Vietnam is not for the faint of heart but whether it’s from the sounds and smells of its cities, the serenity of the sea or the beauty of its surrounding countryside, Vietnam will touch you. With the ever-present calmness, perhaps you too will find a balance.

 

Capital City: Hanoi

Population: 98.51 (2021 est.)

Currency: Vietnamese Dong

Time Zone: Indochina (GMT+7)

Emergency Number: 113

Outlet: Types A, C & F

Vietnam-street
Vietnam Lantern

Packing List

Speak the Language

Language: Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. The majority of the population speaks this language.

 

  • Hello - xin chào
  • Goodbye - Tạm biệt
  • Thank you - cảm ơn bạn
  • Do you speak English? - Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không?
  • I (don’t) understand - Tôi (don lồng) hiểu
  • How are you? - Bạn khỏe không?
  • I’m fine, thank you - Tôi khỏe, cám ơn
  • What’s your name? - Bạn tên là gì?
  • My name is… - Tên tôi là…
  • Where is...- Ở đâu phòng tắm

 

Google Translate: Download the Google Translate app or click here 

TrovaTrip-Vietnam

Weather

HANOI WEATHER

Fun Facts

  • The national dish of Vietnam is Pho, but the exact origin isn’t exactly clear. It is theorized that the word ‘Pho’ is derived from the French countryside soup/stew dish ‘Pot au Feu’ which slow cooks beef, an animal that was primarily used as a beast of burden prior to the late 1800s.
  • There are over 45 million registered motorbikes in Vietnam, nearly half of the population. Cars are taxed between 150% - 250%, add a high registration fee, not to mention a subpar public transportation infrastructure, hot sticky summers unideal for walking, and you have 45 million bikes on the road!
  • As a communist state, Vietnam is officially an Atheist country, however, many Vietnamese are religious with the majority religions being Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Although up to 85% of the population visits Buddhist pagodas, many practices the philosophy of Tam Giao; ‘The Practice of 3’ or the balance of all 3 teachings.
  • The cultural and actual capital of Vietnam is Hanoi but the economic capital is the aforementioned Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)/Saigon.
  • The surname Ngyuen (pronounced ‘win’) is the most popular surname in Vietnam and accounts for more than 40% of the population.

Tipping

Tipping Suggestions: Tips for Guides, drivers and restaurants are not included. Tips provide supplemental income, and, while not mandatory, are greatly appreciated. If the local teams have added to the experience, please reward them.

Guides USD $3-5 per person/per day
Drivers USD $2-3 per person/per day
Restaurants (full service) USD %10 of total bill

 

FAQ


Where can I find information on travel safety? Check out the US Department of State's website for the most up-to-date information on safety while traveling 

 

Is the water safe to drink? Tap water should be avoided by travelers. You should also avoid brushing your teeth with tap water when possible. For drinking water, make sure to drink treated water which can be found at all lodging accommodations.

 

Do I need a Visa? For Visa information, click here. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after you return home and has two or more blank pages. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter.

 

What about vaccines? For vaccination information, click here.

 

Do you recommend travel insurance? While not required, we highly recommend all travelers get travel insurance for their trip to protect themselves from the unknown! Check out travel insurance options from our partner, worldnomads.com or from a provider of your choice.

 

How much should I pack? As we will be using shared transfers and spaces throughout our tour we recommend all travelers pack as lightly as possible. Please review our luggage restrictions below.

 

What does public transportation look like? Buses are the main mode of transportation for people in cities but taxis and motorbike taxis are readily available.

 

Is Uber or Lyft available? The major rideshare app in South East Asia is Grab.

Luggage Restrictions

Luggage Restrictions purple
Luggage restrictions purple – mobile – 1

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