Vietnam was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken, but it’s also a destination where a few small oversights can make things unnecessarily stressful. After spending just over two weeks travelling from the north to the south, I’ve put together the top mistakes I think you should avoid if you want to get the best out of your time there.
1. Not checking the weather for each region before planning your itinerary
Vietnam is long and thin, so the weather can be completely different from one region to the next on the same day. In late April and early May, we had cool mist in the mountains, hot sunny days in the centre, and tropical heat in the south.
It’s not just about packing the right clothes – you might even want to avoid some regions altogether depending on the season. For example, parts of the central coast or the far north can be tricky in the wet season.
Tip: Always check the seasonal weather for each region when planning your itinerary and pack layers for the cooler mountains and breathable, quick-dry clothes for the tropical heat.
2. Trying to do too much
Vietnam has so much to see that it’s easy to overdo it. We used a local travel agent who helped us build an itinerary that made sense logistically, so we could fit more in without wasting time on awkward transfers. It worked really well, but even with that help, we sometimes felt that a 2.5-week itinerary wasn’t enough to do every destination justice.
Tip: If you’re tight on time, I’d recommend picking just one or two regions rather than trying to cover the north, centre and south in one go. You’ll enjoy each place more if you’re not constantly packing up and moving.
Unsure which destinations to add to your itinerary in Vietnam? These comparisons can help: Sapa vs Ha Giang, Ninh Binh vs Sapa, Halong Bay vs Ninh Binh, Ho Chi Minh City vs Hanoi, Hoi An vs Hue.
3. Not checking the rice season if you want those postcard views
If you’re dreaming of seeing the famous green or golden rice terraces, keep in mind they don’t look stunning all year round like in the tourism photos. Places like Sapa only have one rice season, and outside planting or harvest time, the fields can look brown or empty.
Tip: Find out when planting and harvest happen in each region before you go as it can make a huge difference to what you see.
4. Not learning a few Vietnamese words
Many people in touristy areas speak English, and we often used Google Translate too. But even so, learning a few basic words in Vietnamese added so much to our trip!
It helped us connect with locals on a different level. We often asked our guides to teach us new words on the go (like how to say “Oh my God!” – which got lots of laughs), and we learned the numbers too. Locals loved it, especially away from the big cities.
Tip: Save a few phrases on your phone or jot them down phonetically in a notebook. It’s an easy way to show respect and start conversations.
5. Not knowing how to use Google Translate properly
Google Translate was a lifesaver on our trip – not just for reading signs or menus but for having real conversations. Not everyone can read, so using the voice function worked perfectly. On the Ha Giang Loop, I used it to chat with my easy rider guide. He’d speak into his phone and I’d get the translation, and vice-versa. We shared stories and jokes, and it really made the trip more memorable despite the language barrier.
Tip: Download the offline language pack before you go and practise using the conversation mode so you’re ready to go when you need it.
6. Sticking to restaurants and skipping the local food scene
One of the biggest highlights of travelling in Vietnam is the food: it’s fresh, full of flavour, and different in every region. Some of the best meals we had were at tiny street stalls on plastic stools. If you only stick to Western-style restaurants, you’ll miss out on so many delicious local dishes. Be curious and try new dishes in each region; your taste buds will thank you.
We did street food tours in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. They were the perfect way to discover what’s safe to try and learn what to look for when eating out.
Tip: Whether you’re in a restaurant or eating street food, look for busy places full of locals; that’s the best sign that the food is fresh and good. I also always carried hand sanitiser as it wasn’t always easy to wash our hands.
7. Not setting up Grab and your phone before you arrive
They don’t have Uber in Vietnam; they use Grab instead. And Grab isn’t just handy in the biggest cities: we used it in smaller places like Ninh Binh too. I linked my Grab account to my Wise card to avoid extra bank fees, and it was super simple. I also bought an eSIM from Airalo, which worked straight away when I landed.
Tip: Do this before you go, as it makes airport pick-ups and local rides so much easier (and usually cheaper than taxis).
8. Taking random taxis
I’d read plenty of stories about taxi scams or surprise “fees”. We never had to deal with it ourselves because we used Grab the whole time. If you do need a taxi, ask your hotel reception for advice so you don’t get caught out and make sure the meter is running.
9. Not expecting to tip
Tipping isn’t an official part of Vietnamese culture, but it’s definitely common in tourism now, especially for services like massages or boat tours, where it can even be presented as mandatory.
We were told by our travel agent to tip our guides, easy riders and drivers. They often went the extra mile to make sure we had a great experience, so we were happy to let them know they did a good job, and they never made us feel like we had to give them a tip.
Tip: Remember to keep small notes on hand for tips, and rounding up when paying by cash can be a nice gesture. We also found that offering our guide or driver a coffee when we stopped was really appreciated, and it helped us nurture a friendly connection and share some great chats along the way.
10. Not researching attractions
Not every popular attraction is worth it. Our travel agent did a great job following our wish for more authentic experiences, but during planning we still came across places that felt staged or fake (like Ba Na Hills, for example). We also didn’t enjoy the basket boat rides in Hoi An. Some travellers love these spots for fun photos, but if you’re like us and prefer authentic experiences, they might not be for you.
Also, some parts of Vietnam can get packed, especially in peak season or on weekends. The most crowded spot for us was definitely Hoi An in the evening; it was beautiful but so busy!
Tip: Read recent reviews from people with similar interests and be clear on what you’re getting. If you prefer quieter spots or authenticity, check out my article about places to avoid in Vietnam and where to go instead. And when visiting popular sites, go early in the day if you can, so that you avoid day trippers.
11. Ignoring local etiquette
Outside the beach resorts, it’s worth dressing a bit more modestly, especially if you’re visiting temples or villages. Always check for signs about what’s allowed and not allowed (like removing shoes, covering shoulders or not taking photos). If in doubt, just ask your guide how to behave respectfully.
Tip: Carry a lightweight scarf or sarong to cover up if needed.
12. Not carrying enough Vietnamese dong cash
Vietnam is still very much a cash economy. You’ll need cash for markets, tips, street food, and sometimes smaller restaurants. Paying by bank card often comes with a fee (around 3%), which can add up quickly. If you pay in US dollars, you won’t get a good conversion rate, so it’s always better to have Vietnamese dong on hand.
Tip: Withdraw money from ATMs attached to major banks, and look for ones that don’t charge ATM fees. When we visited, VP Bank and TP Bank worked well with our Wise card.
14. Skipping guided tours
It’s a mistake we made in Thailand, so we were determined not to repeat it in Vietnam. Many historical and cultural sites only truly come to life with a guide – suddenly everything makes so much more sense and becomes far more interesting.
If you’re short on time, guided tours are also a brilliant way to get the most out of your trip. Plus, they offer a chance to connect with locals, gain different perspectives, and discover places you might have missed on your own.
Tip: Don’t think guided tours have to be big or impersonal. We always chose small groups (less than 10 people) or private tours, which made the experience more personal and enjoyable.
15. Forgetting about airport queues and transport delays
Vietnam’s airports can be chaotic. We queued for ages at immigration in Ho Chi Minh City (there are paid fast-track services if you’d rather skip the line). On domestic flights, we waited a long time at the check-in counters, especially with Vietjet, and flights were often delayed. We were lucky ours was only an hour late, and our travel agent quickly adjusted our pick-ups and tours. We also had a couple of buses arrive late. If you’re planning your itinerary and bookings yourself, keep things flexible on days when you’re transiting!
Tip: Allow plenty of time between connections and avoid tight schedules if you can. A bit of buffer time will save you a lot of stress later.
16. Travelling without travel insurance
It can be tempting to skip it to save money, but unexpected things do happen. From minor mishaps to medical emergencies, having travel insurance can help reduce stress and costs if something goes wrong. We didn’t need ours, but it gave us peace of mind, especially when travelling by motorbike in remote areas, where we witnessed a few accidents. Note that this isn’t financial advice; I’m just sharing what worked for us. Do your own research and choose what’s right for you.
Tip: In Vietnam, motorbike travel is common (for example, for the Ha Giang Loop or on city tours in Ho Chi Minh City), so we made sure our policy covered that. It’s something worth checking, as it’s not always included. Some providers, like Cover-More, offer options to easily include motorbike coverage if that’s relevant to your trip.
17. Not being aware of little “tourist tricks”
Most people in Vietnam are genuinely welcoming and kind, but in touristy areas you’ll sometimes come across little tricks to get you to buy something. It can catch you off guard and spoil a good moment if you’re not expecting it.
One thing to remember: if someone hands you something – a bracelet, fruit, a “free” sample – it’s very rarely free. Confirm whether there’s a cost before accepting it, or politely say no. The same goes for photos with street performers or people in costume – there’s often a fee.
Tip: If you do want to buy, agree on the price first so there are no surprises later. It’s not about mistrust – just being prepared so you can enjoy the moment without feeling uncomfortable.
18. Rushing souvenir shopping (or overthinking it!)
Shopping for souvenirs in Vietnam can be a fun experience, but it’s easy to get caught out. We found that some stalls sold the same items at very different prices, and sometimes the origin didn’t make sense (like coconut products for sale in villages near Sapa where coconuts don’t grow).
If you see something you like, check a few other shops if you have time, and consider whether you might find it cheaper or more authentic elsewhere on your route. That said, sometimes it’s worth just buying it straightaway if you really love it, as you might not see it again, and it’s often just a few dollars difference in the end.
Responsible travel tip: Be mindful of counterfeit products. If you see a branded item sold in a tiny market stall for a fraction of the normal price, it’s probably fake. It’s often made with inferior materials but, much worse, buying counterfeits supports businesses that may not follow other rules either – like operating illegally or causing environmental damage. We always avoid buying fakes, as there are plenty of beautiful, authentic crafts you can choose instead that support local people.
19. Not double-checking hotel details
Accommodation scams still happen in Vietnam, especially in busy places like Hanoi. Some hotels pop up using the exact same name as a popular one to catch travellers off guard. Taxi drivers sometimes claim your hotel is closed or full and try to take you somewhere else for a commission.
It’s recommended to read reviews from multiple sources to avoid bad surprises. I wrote honest reviews of all the hotels we stayed at, if you want some real examples.
Tip: Always double-check the hotel’s exact address and don’t rely on the name alone. If someone says it’s closed, ask to be taken there anyway.
Have you been to Vietnam? Share your tips and experience in the comments below!
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