Many times we try to get useful information before travelling to an unknown land. It is wise to know few important points so that we don't take our travel plans off the track.
I had great time visiting the wonderful country- Vietnam. One of the primary reason why I started writing blogs is to refresh my memories and to also spread the emotions of visiting conventional and unconventional places. This post will help you plan wise for your trip to Vietnam, I have tried to include minute details that can help travelers on their visit.
1. Visa
First things first. To enter any country you need visa. Acquiring Visa to enter Vietnam is quite easy and very nominal. There are many companies that provide you visa, its very easy to fall prey to fraudulent companies. I used Visa Pro, it's totally reliable and quick. Use the link below to visit the site:
Visa Pro
- Fill the application.
- Make payment, this is for providing approval letter.
- You will get an approval letter with all the tourist names in 2 days. If there are issues, write to them and they respond quickly.
- Carry this approval letter during your travel to get visa in airport along with documents mentioned in the site. You also need to pay for Visa at the Airport, they accept USD and Euros.
2. Weather and time of the year:
Dry period is during March to May. Colder months are during November to February. Also keep in mind that this part of the world receives very harsh rainfalls. Typhoons and cyclones are common, so do search before planning for travel. Months of September and March to May would be preferred months to visit.
3. North, South or Central:
This is tricky country to visit since it offers something throughout the length of the land.
If you have time, you can plan to cover all of them, if you are short of time, then you need to pick one and savor it. Travelling from one place to another is time consuming here so it's better to stick to one and plan accordingly.
4. People of Vietnam:
There are kind people in different parts of the world but Vietnamese belong to a whole new level.
I'm not exaggerating when i'm telling that they are one of the kindest I have met. They helped me even cross roads, they guided me genuinely, they prepared food with love and cared every bit to make us comfortable. Some of them who says that they are harsh or they tend to cheat in shops unfortunately are seeing the business side of it, I have met such people in a lot of countries who cheat in small way to see little bit of profit. But just try to have a conversation and ask for help then to will truly understand that they are nicest of the lot. Vietnam is a very safe country to travel.
5. Local travel app 'Grab':
Install the app called 'Grab'. A very reliable app for local travel. It's nominal, safe and easy.
6. Accommodation in Hanoi:
Options are plenty in Hanoi. Staying in Old quarter makes things much easy and vibrant, highly recommended. I used booking.com for my stay.
I stayed in Nova luxury hotel in Hanoi, the staff were very kind and super friendly, they are really fantastic people. They helped a lot to design our itinerary and also provided lot of tips for our travel in the country. Click on the link to see more about Nova Luxury Hotel.
7. Accommodation in Ninh Binh:
Again there are many home-stays in the remote province of Ninh Binh. I stayed in Tam Coc Mountain Lake Homestay. Lan and family who run the homestay would go any mile ahead to make you comfortable. They got up at 4 am while I was departing back to airport and provided some breakfast. As is said, Vietnamese are of different level of kindness. I highly recommend you to stay here.
8. Ha Long Bay Cruise:
It's absolutely fine to splurge on cruise. It is worth it. Note that the cruises in Ha Long Bay are allowed to paint only white, so if you see any other color of cruise it is not recommended. I booked Orchid Cruise, it was absolutely fabulous to say the least.
Orchid cruises
9. Forex:
You'll be a millionaire on exchanging dollars to Vietnamese Dong. you'll be dealing with a lot of notes so take care of the counting.
10. Local Shopping:
Do not miss the hat, they look marvelous. Do bargain to get a better deal. Old quarter in Hanoi is a paradise for street side shopping.
11. Food:
Being a vegetarian, it was hard for me to find and reliably eat a meal. Hotel staff were really helpful to serve food and guide me to find best food in the city. Popular and easily available Vegetarian food are Rice, Rice noodles, Salads, Veg rice paper rolls, Fruits, breads. Needless to say there are plenty of options for Non vegetarians.
I found a Indian restaurant that servers delicious food (Veg and Non Veg) in Hanoi, 'khana khazana'.
They also deliver to the door, you can whats app them with your orders, the number is +841233404695.
Vietnam is a fabulous country that offers huge variety of places to visit. Getting some minor things right will make the travel even more memorable.
Keep Reading, Keep Travelling..!!
-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com
I had great time visiting the wonderful country- Vietnam. One of the primary reason why I started writing blogs is to refresh my memories and to also spread the emotions of visiting conventional and unconventional places. This post will help you plan wise for your trip to Vietnam, I have tried to include minute details that can help travelers on their visit.
1. Visa
First things first. To enter any country you need visa. Acquiring Visa to enter Vietnam is quite easy and very nominal. There are many companies that provide you visa, its very easy to fall prey to fraudulent companies. I used Visa Pro, it's totally reliable and quick. Use the link below to visit the site:
Visa Pro
- Fill the application.
- Make payment, this is for providing approval letter.
- You will get an approval letter with all the tourist names in 2 days. If there are issues, write to them and they respond quickly.
- Carry this approval letter during your travel to get visa in airport along with documents mentioned in the site. You also need to pay for Visa at the Airport, they accept USD and Euros.
2. Weather and time of the year:
Dry period is during March to May. Colder months are during November to February. Also keep in mind that this part of the world receives very harsh rainfalls. Typhoons and cyclones are common, so do search before planning for travel. Months of September and March to May would be preferred months to visit.
3. North, South or Central:
This is tricky country to visit since it offers something throughout the length of the land.
If you have time, you can plan to cover all of them, if you are short of time, then you need to pick one and savor it. Travelling from one place to another is time consuming here so it's better to stick to one and plan accordingly.
4. People of Vietnam:
There are kind people in different parts of the world but Vietnamese belong to a whole new level.
I'm not exaggerating when i'm telling that they are one of the kindest I have met. They helped me even cross roads, they guided me genuinely, they prepared food with love and cared every bit to make us comfortable. Some of them who says that they are harsh or they tend to cheat in shops unfortunately are seeing the business side of it, I have met such people in a lot of countries who cheat in small way to see little bit of profit. But just try to have a conversation and ask for help then to will truly understand that they are nicest of the lot. Vietnam is a very safe country to travel.
5. Local travel app 'Grab':
Install the app called 'Grab'. A very reliable app for local travel. It's nominal, safe and easy.
6. Accommodation in Hanoi:
Options are plenty in Hanoi. Staying in Old quarter makes things much easy and vibrant, highly recommended. I used booking.com for my stay.
I stayed in Nova luxury hotel in Hanoi, the staff were very kind and super friendly, they are really fantastic people. They helped a lot to design our itinerary and also provided lot of tips for our travel in the country. Click on the link to see more about Nova Luxury Hotel.
7. Accommodation in Ninh Binh:
Again there are many home-stays in the remote province of Ninh Binh. I stayed in Tam Coc Mountain Lake Homestay. Lan and family who run the homestay would go any mile ahead to make you comfortable. They got up at 4 am while I was departing back to airport and provided some breakfast. As is said, Vietnamese are of different level of kindness. I highly recommend you to stay here.
8. Ha Long Bay Cruise:
It's absolutely fine to splurge on cruise. It is worth it. Note that the cruises in Ha Long Bay are allowed to paint only white, so if you see any other color of cruise it is not recommended. I booked Orchid Cruise, it was absolutely fabulous to say the least.
Orchid cruises
9. Forex:
You'll be a millionaire on exchanging dollars to Vietnamese Dong. you'll be dealing with a lot of notes so take care of the counting.
10. Local Shopping:
Do not miss the hat, they look marvelous. Do bargain to get a better deal. Old quarter in Hanoi is a paradise for street side shopping.
11. Food:
Being a vegetarian, it was hard for me to find and reliably eat a meal. Hotel staff were really helpful to serve food and guide me to find best food in the city. Popular and easily available Vegetarian food are Rice, Rice noodles, Salads, Veg rice paper rolls, Fruits, breads. Needless to say there are plenty of options for Non vegetarians.
I found a Indian restaurant that servers delicious food (Veg and Non Veg) in Hanoi, 'khana khazana'.
They also deliver to the door, you can whats app them with your orders, the number is +841233404695.
Vietnam is a fabulous country that offers huge variety of places to visit. Getting some minor things right will make the travel even more memorable.
Keep Reading, Keep Travelling..!!
-UR
uday.s7@gmail.com
