Travelling to Vietnam is often among the choices for Indians looking to explore abroad on a budget.
Ditto for me!
I made my first international Solo trip to Hanoi Vietnam.
But no matter how much you research, some things can only be understood through your or others’ experience.
So here’s what I wish I knew before visiting Vietnam—things that might help you plan better and avoid saying, “I wish someone told me this earlier.”
Table of Contents
Here’s what I learned…
1. Not Everyone Speaks English—But That’s Okay
When I landed in Hanoi Vietnam—I had to take a bus to the city center.
I saw somebody sitting on the bench near the bus stop. He appeared like a local resident. I asked him in English about the bus to the city center.
Sooner, I realized he faced difficulty in understanding English. He understood very few words.
Then, he opened Google Translate and told me to type in. He converted English to Vietnamese and then answered my question.
The next incident happened in Old Quarters Hanoi when I enquired about the food menu. Similarly, the person opened the translator and typed in his answer.
Likewise, many incidents happened in Vietnam. Especially, you’ll face difficulty in conversing with locals.
So, always keep Google Translate handy with you.
2. Hunt for Vegetarian Meals
As soon as I arrived in my Hostel. I kept my bag and went outside to eat something.
I saw a shop opened, saw the menu, everything includes meat and beef.
The next shop I went to, the menu said the same. But, I asked if he could make something with noodles and veggies only.
He first thought and then said Yes.
From that moment, I realized it would be difficult to get a Vegetarian meal easily in Vietnam.
So, one night I got to know about Banh Mi—sandwich.
I used to have Banh Mi filled with Vegetables, it is like Subway Sandwiches. You can tell whatever veggies you want in the sandwich and also it’s very reasonable.
Hence, whenever I go out and feel hungry, I used to have that. Rather, I eat in my hostel, they have a few Vegetarian options.
Otherwise, you can also consider eating in Indian Restaurants in Hanoi. However, you have to reach the location. It’s not you’ll find it at every corner of the street.
However, if you’re a non-vegetarian, you’ll more than delighted to try some local cuisines of Vietnam.
3. Crossing the street is an Art
If you stayed in Metro Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc—you know what’s coming.
The traffic is unstoppable, you have to be confident when stepping ahead to cross the road. The vehicles will always move from your left and right but never bump into you.
I visited Vietnam during the Tet, so I didn’t encounter that much traffic on the roads. But, I heard from a local, that during normal days, the two-Wheeler’s won’t let you cross the street. But, you have to show the confidence to cross them.
Similar happens in Delhi’s Chandi Chowk, I feel it’s still better, as what I heard in Hanoi.
If you face difficulty crossing the streets, hold somebody’s hand if you’re with someone. Or, if travelling solo, just see your left and right, make the decision to move—this won’t be much difficult.
4. Experience the Electric Nightlife
Daytime is good for exploring Hanoi is a myth. Indeed, you can visit tourist places on specified visiting times, but apart from that nightlife in Hanoi is even more appealing.
The streets of Old Quarter Hanoi are filled with people from all over the world.
I feel it happens only in Hanoi Vietnam, where people take out small chairs and tables and keep them almost in-between of the road, sit and enjoy their night meals.
Though, there’s a slight space left in between, where people can walk easily.
However, it’s wise to stay alert, as you may encounter people making unexpected offers, like prostitution. So, don’t fall into any such trap.
5. Simple, Fast, Reliable—That’s Klook
When I reached Hanoi Vietnam, I thought to book everything offline because I was unsure of booking online when in a foreign country.
I researched a reached a local tour operator for the Ninh Binh tour and booked it successfully with them.
While on the way to Ninh Binh, I thought to utilize the next day. Though, I can’t do anything offline now because I was travelling to somewhere.
I knew about Klook, but never used it before. Thus, I decided to give it a chance and try to book through it.
I was surprised, it was very easy for me to book my Lan Ha Bay cruise tour through Klook. Even, I paid in Indian rupees on Klook.
If I knew it would be this much easier, I would have booked for a few places earlier and avoided the last-minute rush.
I hope this will help you to plan better when travelling to Vietnam.
