I am going to vietnam next week.any advice?have you been there?any bad thing?

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nguyenthanhtungtinbk

Basically, safe to travel around, cheap to buy things, people are friendly and no anti-American attitutes here (I'm surprised with PeteO's answer when he said that some shops didn't want to sell to American people, because I haven't heard about anything like that before).

Some advices for you: check the weather forecast before you book the tour or buy the tickets. It has been rained 3 days in Hanoi and many shops closed during the weekend because of rain. According to the statistics and weather forecast, the rain this time is the biggest rain in Hanoi in the history, and it would stop on Wednesday. I'm not sure what day you will be in Vietnam nextweek but hopefully the weather forecast is correct and everything will return to normal. Other than that, there is no big problem basically. It's better to carry some Vietnamese money along with you. You can find some ATMs which accept credit cards but I think only in the cities, i.e.: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city (HCMC). And be careful when you cross the streets.

Have a good time!

Izzy_Cool

Sorry, but Paul is dead wrong.

I have been living in Vietnam (both Hanoi and HCMC) for almost 17 years and I have NEVER felt ANY anti-American sentiment whatsoever from the lowest farmer all the way up to the various Prime Ministers over the last 17 years.

None, zero.

I had some friends who lost limbs, eyes and family in the war, yet they treated me honestly and openly as a friend and in some cases, family.

Vietnamese remember the past, but live in the present.

This is one of the most healthiest attitudes I have ever seen and something my fellow American countrymen could benefit from.

Now, as to your question...

Stick to the well-known restaurants, get a guide if you can.
Don't flash cash or jewelry (same as in any city).

Lastly, beware of traffic. If you are not used to it, you CAN get seriously hurt or killed.

Vietnam is the SAFEST country in the world, literally.

Have a great trip and enjoy yourself.

WalkingBuddha

Hi there. i just got back to the States last week. This was my 11th time and my longest trip being it was 3 months! Not sure what you mean by bad things.

I think it;s going to depend on the area that you're going to be in and who you'll be with. Just think of the state or city you live in. There's going to be good as well as bad. Again, it just depends.

It's a pretty amazing country! Lots to do and lots to see! Take it from me....I think you're going to have quite an experience! Just keep an open mind and take in the culture. You'll return home with many memories and learned experiences.

I wish you well

Martin S

I just got back with my wife. If you are in Ho Chi Minh, check out Happy Tours. Their emai website is www.happytourvietnam.com We did the Chu Chi tunnels day trip (VC tunnels used in the Vietnam War) and the Mekong day trip. Each are $10 U.S. each person. The Mekong includes lunch. We were only there for a week. Wish it was more. I suggest also just walking around. Try to stay in District 1 or District 3. District 3 has the best shopping bargains and bars/cafes for the wesrtern travelor. District 1 has the Ben Tay Market. But it is over priced compared to "the backpackers quarter" . And there really is no difference between the hotels in both quarters.
If you drink, cross the street on the coat tails of a local. This is the most dangerous part of Ho Chi Minh. You will understand when you get there.
The people of Ho Chi Minh are very friendly. And if you have questions, you will find a lot of the children speak english.
I have traveled alot in south east asia and I never felt for a moment I was in any danger in Ho Chi Minh (except crossing the street) unlike parts of Indonesia.

Pixton

I've never been there, but one of my friends has lived there until only a few years ago. I guess it mostly depends on where specifically you're going, but as a general rule for traveling: look as much like a non-tourist as you can. Also, it wouldn't hurt to know at least a little bit of the language.

And another general rule for travelers: know what you're eating before you actually eat it.

Pete O

Vietnam is a very safe place to visit and there are no bad things to be worried about. However the north is very different from the south. Saigon (HCM) is a great place to visit and the people are very friendly and there is plenty to do. The north is also great but they are not as friendly to Americans as they are in the south. For some reasons the north Vietnamese still seem to hold a grude against countries who were in the war. We found that some shops ignored Americans and did not want to serve them. It is still a great place to visit and things are very cheap to buy. You can barter most prices down by 50%. We bought designer clothes for $5 and DVD's for $1. Food is also very cheap, we had a 3 course meal plus beer for about $5 each. Vietnamese wine is freely available, it is terrible!

travel_stories

I came back a few days ago. Crossing the street can be daunting.You will find the motorbikes, bikes and cars are coming at you from all directions. Wait for a small break in the traffic and then walk slowly and keep going straight across the road. You do need to watch just in case a driver is not, but generally they will go around you. You can also point your hand ahead to where you are going although not many people did. But do not stop or change pace erratically.Our first night a Vietnamese hotel owner took us to a restaurant and told us this. It was great advice and we had no trouble crossing the roads in Hanoi and other places, despite the traffic.A pedestrian crossing, even with lights is not much better. They still drive through.

Be sure to check prices with taxis or some drivers will take you for a ride and charge many times more than they should. Hotels can be helpful and call taxis.Also if you are booking through Hostelworld or similar take up their offer of providing a car to pick you up at the airport.This ensures you are not ripped off.

Also have as near the correct money as possible as if they don't have change they just drive off.

You may find you are hassled to buy pictures, postcards, books, or ride in a rickshaw etc.Just consistently ignore or politely say no thank you and then ignore.Better still just say No thank you I have already bought one.They are VERY persistent.

It is the wet season and they are having flooding - we arrived in Hoi An to boats rowing down the main street, and Hanoi has just had the worst flood in 20 years on Friday.They sell big plastic over coats that work well .Go for the better quality one at up to $5US.However, the water had dissappated in Hoi An by the next day. It is really beautiful.

Use dong to pay for things as much as you can, rather than US dollars.You can use credit cards in the hotels.

You should enjoy it - it is a very beautiful and very interesting country, with generally lovely people. The food is great - don't worry about tummy bugs - my daughter has lived there over a year and never had a problem and we certainly didn't either.

Good trips - We were based in Hanoi - Halong Bay is lovely but personally I would have been happy with just one night on a junk, we went to Cat Ba for a second night,but got there so late and left so early we didn't see anything.The kayaking gear was terrible - so ask about what you get.Other companies had proper kayaks with rudders and good life jackets.

The trip to the Perfume Pagoda ( actually an area with about 35 pagodas) was excellent, Hoi An is lovely,They have cooking classes here. My Son is perhaps a good trip if you have not been to Angkor Wat and/or Bayon in Myanmar, but pretty tame if you have.Hue was interesting - the Citadel and if you want a nice day and saving your legs take a dragon boat down the river stopping off at about 3 shrines, temples and the mausoleum which was fabulous.Your hotel will organise this for you if you ask. Also go to the restaurant run by the deaf people near the Citadel, and the one run by a Japanese man for training the children .Both were good value and good food.

In Hanoi the Temple of Literature is a must.You need to plan well and decide what you want to see as there is heaps to do and see in Hanoi.

Have a great holiday

sole_hn

Vietnam is a safe destination for any tourists to travel in. However, before going to Vietnam you should get to know some useful information in order to have an enjoyable holiday there.

Enjoy your trip!

Gerald J

Keep up with the news and weather forecasts, Vietnam is experiencing some of the worst flooding in decades right now. Most of the problem is in the central and northern part of the country right now and much of Hanoi was under 2-3 feet of water during the weekend. Otherwise, Vietnam is a great place to visit with very friendly and welcoming people. Have fun and watch the weather reports.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7703672.stm

smiler

Good advice above. But i would like to comment on this anti-American topic, as a Englishman living in Nha Trang i am viewed as a Yank by most Vietnamese, and i have found that the Viets from the north are not so much anti as more reserved and shy and perhaps a little arrogant, where as people from the south are much much more open and friendly.Saying that i love to visit Hanoi, where as my visits to Saigon i dread.

i wouldnt call it the safest country in the worls, i think that title belongs to canada (haha). but yeah, i think it's safe if you know the country and you know what youre doing. but going there for the first time as a foreigner is a different story. if youre a foreigner, youre going to get ripped off, it's inevitable. even vietnamese people get ripped off. i once say these american guy buying a pair of shoes for 800,000 (viet money) that was only worth 200,000. i wanted to say someting but my cousin was afraid that they'd jump me for ruining their business, haha! anyways, the ecomony over there is really down right now, so just watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas, it's better if you put your money in your front pocket rather than a wallet in your back pocket. and drink bottled water. just be careful crossing the street, the motorists stop for nobody. and there are alot of beggars/beggar gangs,lots of children beggars too. you might be tempted to give them some money but the second you pull out your money, 50 of them will appear from nowhere and swarm you. you cant give money to them all so it's probably a safer bet not give them money.

Rudi

I,ve been there this June.(Saigon)For me and my Wife as none US citizens nothing to worry about.If you have a bit of time make a Political tour around.See and understand what the US Military has done to People and country during occupation that time.

Paul Duong

Some of the advice is true, but some is not.
Sorry i have to say this,even I am was born in vietnam, and moved to the Us when I 12. I just want to let u know my experience, and things that happened to me.

First, do not bring any important thing with u during the time u are traveling. There are some people could took it away from u easy. Just put all of ur Visa or important in safe place.

Second, be careful at the ATM machine ( Special during night) I happened to me.

Third, If u go to anyplace u don't know, and meet some one u ever know. They force u to drink something, PLEASE DO NOT. ( I don't want to say more sorry)

Four, at some place has lot of people just be careful everything in ur pocket, or watch, and things are high value.

Lot of thing wil happened and you might not know.
U know everywhere had bad and good people, i did not mean to say all people in my country are bad. Because i learn lot of thing after 3 times came back to my country, I still scared of some people's behavior.
The best way for u is looking for a guide or join in a group with some one u know. That could be easier for u.

Once again, if some one mad at me about this. I am sorry but it is true.

Allan P

HEllo

i have been living there for 10 years now.
ho chi minh city is more safe than Hanoi though because Hanoi is usually flooded unlike HCMC Hanois facilitys are not that clean + HCMC has more things/
I suggest that you go to HCMC...( Cause i live there)
Or if you like the ocean i suggest you go to Phan Thiet or Vung Tau

Huy L

Dress cool

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