Make your trip to Vietnam a success by avoiding making a few mistakes in preparing for and during your trip. A successful trip is a trip well prepared to avoid any errors and disappointments. And since forewarned is forearmed, read our advice carefully to avoid any disappointment and fully enjoy your trip to Vietnam.

1. Choose your season wisely

Choosing the right season to go to Vietnam is a travel element to take into consideration. You could spend your stay in Sapa in the fog without seeing the superb rice terraces whose rice was cut in winter. You could find yourself in torrential rains in October in the charming towns of Hue and Hoi An. Very rough seas could prevent you from enjoying the delightful island of Phu Quoc between June and September. During Tet, the Vietnamese lunar new year, you may also have difficulty getting around. Each season, Vietnam will offer you a different face, choose the right one!

2. Don’t overload your suitcase

Travel light and avoid dragging a suitcase that is too heavy. No need to take too many clothes, it is very easy throughout Vietnam to have your clothes washed at your hotel quickly and at a very reasonable price. Adapt the contents of your suitcase to the season in which you are going to Vietnam. Please note that you can also buy everything you need to complete your wardrobe on-site. If you go hiking in Northern Vietnam, don't forget a rain cape and warm clothing for the evening.

3. Don’t overload your itinerary

When you want to see everything, you often don't see much. If the temptation is great to want to discover the country's must-see sites on a North-South axis, your trip to Vietnam should not become a race, especially if your travel duration is limited. For a stay of less than 15 days, we advise you to limit yourself to visiting two regions in order to take the time to discover them and to gently appreciate their historical and natural riches while immersing yourself in the local culture. A moderate pace is the guarantee of a successful trip!

4. Do not take a day trip to Halong Bay

Taking a day trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi means exposing yourself to a much longer road transfer than navigation, restricted to a small area due to lack of time to delve deeper into the scenery of magical Halong Bay classified by UNESCO. Choose a cruise with an overnight stay aboard a junk to fully appreciate the breath-taking seascapes of this natural wonder. You will enjoy a breath-taking sunset and sunrise over the limestone islands and islets which bristle with an emerald sea stretched like a mirror.

>> Read more: Top 10 in Halong Bay: the must-sees and things to do

5. Don’t miss out on sleeping with locals

Sleeping with locals remains a unique travel experience in Vietnam. And even if sometimes you can lose comfort, you will greatly gain in user-friendliness. Staying with a local will allow you to immerse yourself in local traditions, discover Vietnam beyond its tourist facade, and promote the local economy. Travelling sometimes means sacrificing comfort in order to enhance a discovery!

6. Don’t ignore street food

Even if the hygienic conditions do not meet Western standards, it would be a shame to deprive yourself of the treasures of culinary creativity of legendary Vietnamese street food. Eating on the street will allow you to taste some of the tastiest Vietnamese gastronomic specialities and blend into the local culture in a very friendly atmosphere. An authentic travel experience as close as possible to the country's traditions.

7. Choose your local travel agency wisely

To avoid any unpleasant surprises, be sure to choose your local travel agency carefully for organizing excursions or your entire stay. There are many local agencies in Vietnam but not all are equal. Choose a perfectly English-speaking agency to fully understand your expectations and a long-lasting agency. Unreliable agencies never last too long. Don’t forget to check customer reviews to get an idea of the seriousness of the selected agency.

>> Read more: The advantages of traveling to Vietnam with a local agency

8. Do not count distances in kilometres

This is a mistake that travellers make quite often. In Vietnam, we do not count distances in kilometres but in travel time. The road infrastructure, even if it is constantly improving, and the fairly intense traffic do not yet allow for rapid travel. Please note that in remote mountainous areas, the rugged terrain, and the state of the roads, mileage remains an abstract concept. But rest assured, while contemplating the magnificent landscapes, time flies so quickly!

9. Be careful of taxis

For your trips in the city, be careful of taxis. They are not the majority but you can come across dishonest taxi drivers. Please ensure that the taxi driver puts the meter on correctly. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, choose recognized companies like Mai Linh, Vinasun, or Taxi Group. You can also use the Grab app where you know the price of the ride in advance.

10. Don’t forget to buy travel insurance

It is essential to have travel insurance to leave with peace of mind and to deal with any unforeseen circumstances. If you pay for your trip to Vietnam with your Visa, you and your loved ones are covered, but if this is not the case, we advise you to take out travel insurance which will cover you in the event of a problem.

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