Vietnam is one of the most fascinating countries I’ve visited – rich in culture, landscapes and contrasts. I had heard a lot about it before going, but there were still a few things that took me by surprise during our two weeks there. If you’re planning your first visit, I hope these insights help you feel more prepared and curious to explore beyond the usual travel advice.
Vietnamese is easier to read, harder to speak
Vietnam is the only country in Asia that uses the Latin alphabet, due to its French colonial history. That made it surprisingly easy to recognise place names, menus and basic signs – even without learning the language. Locals also really appreciate when you try a few words, so it’s worth learning a couple of basics. We had good laughs and connected well with a few locals thanks to this.
But don’t expect conversations. Vietnamese has six tones, so pronunciation is tricky – we quickly decided to stick to a few useful expressions and sentences to make people smile. Even locals from different regions sometimes struggle to understand each other because accents and expressions vary a lot across the country.
Another surprising thing: not all Vietnamese people speak Vietnamese. In rural or mountainous areas, many locals belong to ethnic minority groups and speak their own dialect at home. They learn Vietnamese at school, but it’s not necessarily their first language. It’s a nice touch to ask your guide for a few polite words like hello and thank you in the local language when visiting minority villages (like in Sapa, for example).
Communicating with locals was easy
We were surprised by how many people spoke English in touristy areas, especially in tourism-related businesses like hotels, pharmacies, cafés and souvenir shops. Some had a strong accent, but we quickly got used to it (we live in Brisbane, where we’re used to hearing multiple accents).
You’ll still come across people who don’t speak English – taxi drivers and people outside touristy areas come to mind – but it wasn’t a problem. When we weren’t on a guided tour, we mainly used the Grab app for transport, which includes automatic translation. Hotel receptionists were always happy to help if we needed to call or explain something. And Google Translate worked great – just make sure to use the voice function, as not everyone can read.
Vietnam isn’t hot everywhere
Before our trip, we expected a tropical climate. But Vietnam’s weather is incredibly varied. The south is hot and humid, but the north has four seasons, and it can get chilly, especially in the mountains. In Sapa and on the Ha Giang Loop, we wore jackets in April! See my Ha Giang Loop packing list here.
It’s worth packing layers, especially if you’re travelling across different regions or heading to higher altitudes. A light down jacket, scarf or jumper can make a big difference if you’re up north outside the summer months.
You’ll feel a culture shock straight away with the traffic
We’ve travelled in a few Asian countries, but Vietnam’s traffic felt next-level. Scooters come from every direction – including the footpath and through markets. The constant honking, near-misses and general chaos are something to experience. We saw a few minor accidents, and it can feel exhausting to always be looking around you, especially in big cities.
If you’re not confident crossing roads, follow a local. The rule is actually quite simple: they will go around you, so make eye contact and show your intentions. Always move forward as steadily as possible – never run, stop suddenly or go backward.
Transport isn’t always comfortable
We booked a few long-distance bus rides and found them more stressful than expected. The driving felt reckless, and I was relieved we didn’t book a sleeper bus – I doubt I’d have slept at all. Even when the seats were comfy and we had Wi-Fi and USB plugs, the driving made it hard to relax.
A few tips to be more comfortable:
- I was glad I chose one of the few seats where I could see the road, as I was feeling a bit unwell.
- A scarf or light shawl was very handy. Aircon was sometimes set far too cold, and although you can usually close your personal air vent, not always.
- Some buses ask you to take your shoes off, so socks or travel slippers help when getting on and off.
- On less popular routes (like Sapa to Ha Giang), rest stops had no toilet paper or soap, so carry your own kit.
- On busy routes (like Hanoi to Sapa), stops were more developed and charged 3,000 VND to use the toilets – smaller notes come in handy.
- They sometimes didn’t have enough space to store luggage in the boot so they’d fill up the aisle. If that’s the case and you have mobility issues, it’s better to sit at the front.
Internet is almost everywhere
We were impressed by the internet access throughout the country. Hotels, cafés, buses and even small homestays all had solid connections. I could even have a Teams meeting from Ta Van village in the mountains near Sapa, and there was Wi-Fi (though only in the dining room) on our Bai Tu Long Bay cruise.
We used an Airalo eSIM and had strong 5G coverage in most places. There were only a few gaps when travelling between remote areas or on the water.
If you need a reliable connection for work or calls, it’s still best to check in advance – but overall, staying connected in Vietnam was easy.
They like asking for feedback and reviews… sometimes too much!
At the end of many tours, restaurant visits or even some massages, we were asked to fill out feedback forms or leave reviews on Google or TripAdvisor. For online reviews, while there was no direct pressure to give five stars, being asked while still with the guide or staff did feel a bit awkward at times.
That said, we also saw genuine willingness to improve. People often asked if everything went well, and we had the sense they valued constructive feedback, so don’t hesitate to share it politely.
Grab works so much better than taxis
There’s no Uber in Vietnam, but Grab is widely used and super convenient. We entered our Wise card into the app and had no issues. Prices were set in advance, which meant no haggling or scams, and the app’s translation feature helped a lot when the driver didn’t speak English. We didn’t use regular taxis at all, Grab was just easier and safer for us.
Not much wildlife and little environmental protection
We were surprised not to see wildlife or even birds, even in remote areas. Locals explained that overhunting during famine years and habitat destruction (especially in the south, due to chemical warfare) had decimated wildlife. Vietnam is not a nature destination in that sense; it’s more about landscapes and culture. When we asked where to see wild animals, the answer was always: “At the zoo.” From what we understood, monkeys are the only animal you may encounter.
We were also disappointed by the lack of environmental protection. As often in South-East Asia, waste management is a real issue. It was true even in some UNESCO-listed sites. I really hope international tourism can help make this more of a priority in the future.
There’s so much amazing food to try
I knew Vietnamese food was delicious, but I didn’t realise just how varied it was. We only ate Banh Mi a few times – there was just too much else to try! Each region had something unique: from Sapa to Ha Giang, Hoi An, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City, we found new dishes everywhere. But if you want to eat like a local for breakfast, it’s the same everyday: phở.
Street seafood stalls were especially surprising. We saw shellfish and crustaceans we’d never seen before. Sadly, we avoided them as our doctor had recommended skipping filtering seafood during the trip.
Markets were also eye-opening. Seeing meat left unrefrigerated and animals transported in distressing ways made us question our food choices. Don’t be surprised if you feel tempted to go vegetarian for a few days…
Those tiny seats are everywhere – and they’re really low
One thing you’ll quickly notice, especially when eating street food, is the iconic tiny plastic stools used across Vietnam. They’re often just a few centimetres off the ground, and while they work well for locals, they can be a bit challenging for taller travellers or anyone with reduced mobility.
At first, it felt a bit awkward to sit so low, but it’s all part of the authentic local experience. You’ll often find yourself feeling folded in two just to eat, which can feel weird and definitely isn’t the most comfortable or natural position. Sometimes, I just looked at how locals managed to sit there so casually and tried to copy their technique; they often make it look much easier than it feels!
If it gets too uncomfortable, some restaurants and cafes do have regular-height seating, so just look around or ask. Still, trying a bowl of steaming phở or a bánh xèo on a busy street corner while sitting on a tiny stool is one of those must-do Vietnam moments… at least once!
Coffee culture is incredible – if you like it sweet and strong!
If you love coffee, you’re in for a treat. Vietnam’s café culture is creative and vibrant, with drinks you won’t find elsewhere – egg coffee, coconut coffee, salt coffee, buckwheat coffee… Try them all! Cafés are everywhere and easy to find. Just be prepared: most coffee is made with robusta beans, so it’s strong – best avoided too late in the day.
Even if, like me, you don’t drink coffee, you won’t be left out. We joined a coffee course in Hanoi and they tweaked the recipes for me so I could enjoy dairy-free chocolate drinks instead.
Homestays aren’t always what you expect
We imagined “homestays” would be staying in a family’s home. In reality, most of ours were more like guesthouses or small lodges run by families. We always had our own room and bathroom, and there was usually a small restaurant. The experience was closer to hotels, with fewer services, than a family home.
But we were always greeted by the owners, which felt personal and meaningful. It’s a great way to support local families, even if you’re not sharing meals or spending time together. More immersive homestay experiences (like staying in the same house and sharing meals) do exist – our Sapa guide Pang offered one – but it’s not the norm unless it’s specified.
We let our local travel agent choose our homestays, and they ended up being some of the best places we stayed in Vietnam.
Bargaining isn’t everywhere
We thought we’d be bargaining all the time, but it really depends on where you are. In many clothing and souvenir shops, prices were fixed, or staff didn’t want to negotiate. Asking for the price for two items sometimes helped get a small discount.
Short boat rides (like in Hoi An) were a bit more flexible, and walking away politely often brought the price down.
Massages were hit and miss. Some places didn’t allow negotiation, others dropped the price before we even asked. Don’t hesitate to walk away and check reviews before deciding, knowing the 5-star ones can be biased, so look for more balanced feedback.
Also good to know: very small banknotes (under 10,000 VND) weren’t always accepted. We got a small discount once or twice simply because that’s all we had left. So when paying by cash, you may sometimes want to round up or leave tips.
The vibe can be loud and lively!
I don’t know why I thought Vietnamese people would be rather quiet. What we discovered was the opposite. Locals are lively and love a good celebration. Loud conversations in restaurants, music playing from every direction, festivals, and lots of domestic tourism made for a fun, buzzing atmosphere. The streets are often full of people!
And then there’s karaoke. It’s everywhere, and people love it. We kept hearing multiple karaokes during our Mekong Delta trip, just because it was Sunday. It’s a big part of social life, and locals are delighted when foreigners join in. It’s a fun, light-hearted way to connect.
And with karaoke often comes alcohol. I was surprised by how much drinking is part of the culture in Vietnam. At lunch one day, we got served happy water (the local rice wine) in a jug – we honestly thought it was drinking water until the first sip! Another time, before 10 am, we ended up in an impromptu karaoke session and the sweet old man hosting us proudly brought out shots. If you don’t want to actually drink it, just join the cheer – “một, hai, ba, dô!” (one, two, three, cheers!) – and touch the glass to your lips. I never felt pressured to finish, but cheering seemed an important part of the fun.
Our experience with VietJet wasn’t as bad as the reviews said
VietJet is currently the only airline offering direct flights from Brisbane to Vietnam, which made it the most convenient and often cheapest option for us. We flew with them multiple times, including on domestic routes. It’s a budget airline, so we expected queuing, basic service and overpriced food, and that’s exactly what we got. But nothing worse.
We were worried about delays (VietJet doesn’t have the best reputation). Yes, we had a few, but all were under an hour. Ironically, our friends who flew Vietnam Airlines on the same night as us from Hanoi to Central Vietnam ended up with several hours of delay… while we arrived early!
For more tips and info, check out my detailed article about flying with VietJet.
Vietnam is incredibly diverse – landscapes, cultures and cities all change quickly
One of the things that struck me most was how much variety we experienced in just two weeks. We went from misty mountains and rice terraces in the north in Sapa, to ancient towns like Hoi An, to modern Ho Chi Minh City with its skyscrapers and rooftop bars. The landscapes were constantly changing: karst formations, beaches, jungle, rivers, highlands… and so were the cultures.
Each region had its own distinct vibe and influences. For example, Hoi An shows a fascinating mix of Chinese, Japanese and French heritage, while the Ha Giang Loop felt like a completely different world again with its ethnic minority communities and remote setting. And although Ho Chi Minh City isn’t the capital (Hanoi is), it’s a bustling, modern, and forward-looking city. It was a great reminder that Vietnam isn’t one thing, and your experience can vary dramatically from one place to the next.
Vietnamese people are warm and genuinely care about sharing their country
Despite the challenges many Vietnamese face in their daily lives, we found the people to be incredibly warm, positive, and welcoming. Our guides especially stood out. They didn’t just see us as tourists or wallets, but genuinely wanted to share their country’s stories and culture. They were always happy to answer our many questions and gave us extra tips to make the trip more authentic and enjoyable. It was clear they took pride in their work and in showing us their homeland.
Of course, in very touristy spots or busy cities, you might occasionally meet pushy people more focused on quick sales and requesting tips, but that was the exception rather than the rule. What touched me most was how, despite a complex history of colonialism and war, many Vietnamese said they remember the past but choose to forgive and look forward.
Some attractions are all about the photos
I was really surprised by how much Vietnamese people love taking photos, and how much they embrace the whole experience around it. At some attractions, it felt like the main activity was actually taking beautiful pictures rather than exploring the site itself. You’ll often find costume rental services at the entrance, where you can dress up in traditional outfits or themed costumes for your visit. It even seemed like some attractions, such as Moana Cafe in Sapa or Ba Na Hills in Danang (which we didn’t visit), were visited primarily for photo opportunities.
At the Hue Citadel, for example, we saw many women dressed as royal concubines. It gave the impression they were part of the scene rather than just tourists, and it made the whole visit sort of visually immersive. Don’t be surprised to see people striking dramatic poses or doing full-on mini photoshoots. It’s actually a service offered by locals. If you enjoy photography or want fun souvenirs, it’s worth considering!
Have you been to Vietnam? What surprised you the most? Share your experience in the comments below!
Save this article for later!
Planning a trip to Vietnam? Save these tips on Pinterest to find them easily later!
