I wanted to share a sneak-peak into my Vietnam Trip and handbook for anyone who plans a trip to this fabulous country.
Our trip to Vietnam was an unforgettable experience. It is one of the most beautiful countries we have ever visited. Looking back, I realize that with some additional knowledge and better planning, our trip could have been even more enjoyable. Here are some key facts I wish I had known before our journey:
Visa:
I highly recommend applying for a visa online instead of opting for “visa on arrival.” The online process is simple and takes about four days, saving you from potentially long queues at the airport.
Timing:
Weather plays a significant role in determining the best time to visit Vietnam. Despite enjoying delicious food and comfortable accommodations, our trip was dampened by an unexpected heat wave during the first four days. The coastal areas were particularly humid. Ideally, plan your visit between November and April, as these months offer a more pleasant weather. In Hanoi and the north, May to October tends to be hot and humid with heavy rainfall, while November to April is cooler and drier. Keep in mind that the weather varies significantly as you travel from north to south due to the country’s considerable length.
Flight Tickets:
To save on flight expenses, it’s advisable to book tickets during Vietjet’s annual sales. This way, you can secure round-trip tickets for around 25,000 to 30,000 Indian Rupee (INR). Otherwise, you may end up paying around 40,000 INR per person. In my case, I flew to Hanoi via Kolkata with Indigo, which offered a reasonable ticket price that included 30 kg of luggage. It’s worth noting that Vietjet does not support web check-in. Instead, you’ll receive a ticket with a barcode for airport entry.
Food:
Vietnam offers a wide variety of non-vegetarian and seafood dishes. However, even as a non-vegetarian, I found it challenging to find local dishes that suited my palate, as they predominantly feature beef, pork, or bone-based stocks. On the other hand, the tropical fruits in Vietnam are incredibly sweet, with an abundance of passion fruit, pineapple, lychee, jackfruit, mangoes, and mangosteens. I recommend indulging in as much fruit as possible. Since we had a group of five vegetarians and five non-vegetarians, we booked a package through a local Vietnamese travel agent, ensuring that all meals included five vegetarian options. If you prefer a specific vegetarian taste, consider bringing some Indian snacks like theplas, MTR heat and eat packs, and bhujias.
It’s important to know that tea bags are not easily available and hence should carry them.
Language:
English proficiency is limited in Vietnam, and even sign language often doesn’t work in most places. However, a simple calculator for bargaining and the Google Translator app for English to Vietnamese translation proved to be useful tools during our trip. We were fortunate to have a local English-speaking tour guide and an air-conditioned bus, which alleviated any language barriers. If you plan to travel independently, be aware that language could be a deterrent. Nevertheless, I know of friends who traveled without a guide and still had a great experience. It ultimately depends on personal preference and interest.
Currency and Forex:
While many of my friends converted their Indian Rupees (INR) to US Dollars, considering its global acceptance, I found that converting directly to Vietnamese Dong yielded better rates. One Indian Rupee is equivalent to approximately 280-285 Vietnamese Dong. If you convert to US Dollars and then to Vietnamese Dong at a money exchange center, you may end up with around 230-240 Vietnamese Dong for 1 INR, resulting in a significant loss. I personally used my debit card and credit card for transactions, and both provided exchange rates ranging from 275-285 Dong per rupees.
Places to Visit:
It’s heaven for travellers as it has beautiful rivers, lovely mountains and a coastal line which has the best beaches , neat n clean cities and also is a paradise for spa n shopping ….
Brief Itinerary of my trip :
Day 1 : Hanoi arrival (B, D)
Day 2 : Hanoi City Tour (B, D)
Day 3 : Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hoa Lu & Tam Coc & Hang Mua – Hanoi (B, D)
Day 4 : Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight Cruise (B, L, D) – Sena cruises
Day 5 : Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Hue (B, L, D)
Day 6 : Hue City Tour (B, D)
Day 7 : Hue – Danang (B, D)
Day 8 : Danang – Ba Na Hills – Golden Bridge – Danang (B, D)
Day 9 : Danang – Hoi An Walking Tour – Danang (B, D)
Day 10 : Danang Departure (B)
We missed travelling to ho chu min and phuqock ..will definitely plan a trip to these places next time ..
Hope you all find this write up informative. I’m also sharing a few photographs of the food that we had in Vietnam along with places with scenic beauty ..
Travel the world when ever possible … and make ur life even more awesome
Written by : Anil Kumar
