They say that when you are in Rome you should do as the Romans do. This advice really applies just about anywhere you go, including Vietnam. Taking a few hours to learn about the history and culture of a country before you visit will only ensure your trip is as safe and enjoyable as possible.

General Vietnam Do’s and Don’ts

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The first thing you should do upon arrival in your hotel is located your in-room safe and store your valuables. Don’t carry extra cash, credit cards, passports, airline tickets, or anything else you really don’t need. This rule applies no matter where you travel.

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When you prepare to leave your hotel and begin exploring, do two things. First, take a hotel business card with you before you leave. This will help locals and those with language barriers help identify where you need to go if you get lost. Second, make sure you take a roll of toilet paper with you. There’s no way to guarantee if or when you’ll find a properly stocked restroom.

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Dress conservatively while traveling through Vietnam, especially if you are traveling through small villages. The larger cities are more relaxed, but small cities are still strict about the way they dress and if you are too revealing you will cause offense. If you plan on visiting temples or pagodas make sure you are not wearing shorts, dresses, skirts, or any type of clothing that exposes your shoulders. Doing so is considered rude.

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Do take your shoes off when entering someone’s home, but do NOT sit with your feet pointing towards that family’s private altar. This is considered disrespectful and offensive.

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Almost everyone acts like an aspiring photographer when on vacation but it is important to remember that not everyone in Vietnam wants to have his picture taken. Ask for permission before taking a photograph and respect the answer you receive - do not haggle, beg, or plead. Do not ever attempt to take a photograph of any military personnel or installation, and avoid taking photos or videos in villages occupied by ethnic minorities.

Gay & Lesbian Travel in Vietnam

Sadly, some countries are less tolerant than others. While homosexual individuals certainly do live in Vietnam, they still tend to live sheltered lives due to a general lack of acceptance.

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While there are no laws stating that homosexuality is illegal, there have been instances in which state-run media outlets have declared it a “social evil.” This led to dozens of gay couples being arrested, held, and eventually punished with re-education classes despite the fact they had not done anything wrong.

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While the government and socialist news organizations seem to be a bit more tolerant, gay and lesbian couples are often targeted by criminals due to what they perceive as a vulnerability. In places such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, authorities tend to turn a blind eye towards crimes against homosexuals.

There is no reason for the gay and lesbian community to avoid travel through Vietnam, but there is reason for caution. Research the areas you plan to visit in advance and use caution when visiting strange places.

Tips for Women Traveling Alone in Vietnam

In many parts of the world women do not have as much independence as in others. Therefore, if you are a female traveling alone you are more likely than not to draw attention to yourself, even if you’ve done nothing strange or wrong.

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To avoid confrontational situations, women traveling alone should consider wearing dark sunglasses so that any eye-contact you make with a man is not misconstrued as a “come-on.” It’s also helpful to wear a fake wedding ring and casually mention your husband and family - even if you do not have one. These will help you to avoid unwanted male attention.

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If you are traveling alone, make sure you ask to see your hotel room before you agree to stay. Check to make sure the locks on the doors and windows are working properly and try to get a room that is not on the ground floor. Request another room if you do not feel completely safe or happy.

Food and Drink in Vietnam

Eating in Vietnam can be very inexpensive depending on where you go. The most popular Vietnamese food is Pho - a noodle soup with vegetables and meats. You may also opt to have a more luxurious meal in a hotel restaurant.

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Do not drink tap water or eat ice, regardless of whether you are in the city or in a small village. Stick to bottled water at all times. It is inexpensive and always available. For the same reason, do not eat fruits and vegetables unless they are peeled and/or cooked.

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Beer lovers, on the other hand, will want to try a glass of bia hoi, or Vietnamese beer. It is an incredibly popular beverage throughout all of Vietnam and is known for being the least expensive beer on the planet.

Your trip to Vietnam will be filled with fun and excitement. Simply plan your itinerary carefully, follow these tips, and have a great time!

Posted in Vietnam

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 at 11:46 am and is filed under Vietnam. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.