
Do’s when visiting Vietnam
Dress conservatively, especially for female travellers. The Vietnamese are quite conservative about their dress, and it would be disrespectful to wear skimpy clothing in public.
When visiting temples and pagodas – keep your arms and legs covered. A sarong is very handy, and make sure your knees are covered at the very least. It is again disrespectful to go to such places if you do not observe these.
Do remove unnecessary jewelry, as it shows that you have money, and could make you a target for petty theft. Keep all valuables in a safe place. If you have much cash, you can divide into several parts and put them in different places with you, in case you meet the pickpocket or lose money elsewhere.
Do hold your bag in front of you, wrapped around your shoulder, so that you are not a victim of a drive-by bag snatcher. Unfortunately, you need to be vigilant as bag snatching is a big problem, even at temples and pagodas.
Do make sure that you have a hotel business card from the reception desk. This will make your return to the hotel in a taxi or motorbike much easier.
Always firmly negotiate the exact price before you get on the back of a motorbike or buy anything on the streets.
Do buy bottled water, but not any bottled water. You will pay less for a bottle of beer than a bottle of water. Keep a non-disposable water bottle on you and fill it up with boiled or purified water whenever you get the chance. Instead of buying bottled water - which is both expensive and bad for the environment.
Do ask permission before you take a photo of people. Many locals may be uncomfortable or will expect payment before you take the photo. Pay it. It is not a lot of VND, the currency of Vietnam.
Do carry some toilet paper with you at all times. While there are fewer squats in urban areas, there are still many in rural areas.
Do use your chopsticks correctly. Sticking them upright in your bowl of rice, for example, is considered unlucky, as this is the symbol of two burning joss sticks used for funerals.
Do enjoy the local Vietnamese food, which is some of the best in the world. Consider doing a street food tour to get to some of the hidden gems in the back streets of Hanoi.
Certainly confirm the exchange rate before exchanging.
Don’ts when visiting Vietnam
Don’t take photos of any military installations and equipment, it is a breach of national security and you could end up in jail, and you do not want to spend your vacations …and a bit … at a Vietnamese jail.
Don’t sit with your feet pointing towards a family altar if you are staying at someone’s house.
Don’t turn your back to the altars when you are in a temple or someone’s home, or pointing with one finger to the worshipped gods will really upset them. Use your whole palm if needed, and well behave when you are at the site. The Vietnamese are very spiritual.
Don’t play with the chopsticks for fun music when you are at a meal table, as the Vietnamese don’t want hungry and homeless ghosts to come.
Don’t publically kiss and cuddle. These personal displays of affection are not considered appropriate in Vietnam. Holding hands is ok, particularly as you cross the manically busy roads.
Don’t suddenly stop or panic as you cross the busy roads. Frightening as it can be, just keep walking. Look at the drivers and wave your hand in the air. The traffic will avoid you. Stay calm and keep walking, no matter what.
Don’t take video cameras into the ethnic minority villages. They are considered to be too intrusive by many local people. If you do, always ask permission first.
Don't expect a good sleep in while traveling in Vietnam, loud noises start on the streets from 6am. If you need a sleep in, bring ear plugs.