Practical Info
Money, SIM cards, vaccines, weather, packing, emergencies — what you need before you arrive.
23 articles in this section. Most stand on their own.
Vietnamese dress codes — temples, business, beach, daily
Cover your shoulders and knees for temples. Smart casual for business. Bikinis at beach resorts only. The practical Vietnamese dress-code map.
If you lose your passport in Vietnam
Day-by-day what to do — police report, embassy emergency travel document, Vietnamese exit-stamp transfer, and how to actually leave the country.
Packing for Vietnam by season — monsoon vs dry
The two-list packing breakdown — what to pack for the dry season, what changes for the monsoon, and the four items that go in both lists.
Notarisation and document services in Vietnam
Where to get translations notarised, when you need it, what it costs, and the foreigner-specific gotchas — especially for visa, marriage, and property paperwork.
Photography rules in Vietnam — temples, military sites, and people
Where photography is restricted, where it's welcome, the etiquette of photographing strangers, and the rules around drones, military areas, and ethnic-minority villages.
Sending and receiving mail in Vietnam
Vietnamese post, EMS, J&T, GHN, GHTK and the international couriers — how to actually send a parcel home, receive one from abroad, and avoid the customs traps.
Public toilets in Vietnam — what to expect and where to find one
Squat vs Western, what to carry (toilet paper isn't guaranteed), the standard small-fee public toilets at parks, and the malls / cafés that are reliable foreigner-friendly stops.
Tipping in Vietnam — when, where, and how much
Tipping is not traditional in Vietnam, but tourist zones have changed expectations. Honest read on where tipping is expected, where it's welcome, and where it's actively rude.
The Best Time to Visit Vietnam
Short answer: February to April or October to November. Long answer: it depends on what you want to do and where you are willing to drive.
Embassies and Consulates in Vietnam
Where the major embassies are in Hanoi, which consulates operate in HCMC, and what they can and cannot actually do for you.
Emergency Numbers in Vietnam
113 police, 114 fire, 115 ambulance, 112 search and rescue. Plus tourist police hotlines and embassy duty lines worth saving.
Family Travel with Kids in Vietnam
Vietnamese culture adores children, which makes travel here unusually warm with kids. The streets are scooter-clogged and stroller-hostile — adjust your gear accordingly.
LGBTQ+ Travel in Vietnam
Vietnam is broadly tolerant in cities, more reserved in the countryside. No legal recognition yet, but no laws against being gay either.
Money and Banking in Vietnam
How cash, cards, ATMs and QR payments actually work in Vietnam — plus what to know about Wise, Revolut and getting USD changed.
What to Pack for Vietnam
A real packing list by season and activity — what to bring, what to leave at home, and what to buy when you arrive.
Power Plugs and Voltage in Vietnam
Vietnam runs on 220V/50Hz with mostly Type A and Type C sockets. What plugs your gear needs and why surge protection matters.
SIM Cards and Mobile Data in Vietnam
Viettel, Vinaphone or Mobifone — and the eSIM alternatives. Where to buy, what to pay, and which network works in Sapa.
Solo Female Travel in Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the safer Southeast Asian countries for solo women. The risks are mostly bag snatches, drink spiking and the occasional taxi — none of them paralysing.
Time Zone and Business Hours in Vietnam
Vietnam is UTC+7 year-round with no daylight saving. Banks close for lunch, government offices close early, and Tết shuts everything for a week.
Travel Insurance for Vietnam
The motorbike clause is the one that catches people out. What to look for in a Vietnam policy, recommended providers, and how claims really work.
Vaccinations for Vietnam
What's required (almost nothing), what's recommended, and what most travellers actually get before a trip to Vietnam.
Vietnam Weather by Month
Vietnam has three regional climates — what to expect month by month in Hanoi, Da Nang, HCMC and Sapa, including typhoon and rain windows.
Wi-Fi and Internet in Vietnam
Cafe wifi is everywhere and usually fast. What VPNs to bring, which sites are blocked, and how to set up home fibre as an expat.