Vietnam Trip – Your Questions Answered
After my recent trip to Vietnam, well, and during… A lot of questions were raised via private messages and emails, so I have decided to answer all your questions right here on Mortraveling.com in order for your to share the article with everyone else. Here are your questions answered for a Vietnam trip.
A Nope
For longer excursions from your hotel, it is always a good idea to carry a roll of toilet paper in your pack or purse. You never know when you will need it!
Please always dress appropriately. Not only for the Vietnam climate but also to not cause offense to the local people. Vietnamese (and many tourist sites) have conservative dress codes. It is only in larger cities, like Saigon that these codes are relaxed a little.
Always leave your excess cash, airline tickets, passports, and valuables in the hotel’s safety deposit box.
Always be aware when entering someone’s home as at some homes you must please remove your shoes at the front door.
Please always ask permission first when taking a photograph of someone. If they indicate that they do not want you to, then abide by their wishes. Please do not push the issue or offer money. There are some times when you shouldn’t even ask. Go with your gut instinct.
Don’t wear shorts, dresses or skirts, or tops with low-neck lines and bare shoulders to Temples and Pagodas. To do this is considered extremely rude and offensive.
Please don’t give sweets and candies to the local children when trekking through ethnic minority villages. It is extremely important to remember this! Many of these people do not have access to dental health. If you would like to give pens/paper, ask your guide to introduce you to the local school and give them to the teacher for distribution.
Don’t sleep or sit with the soles of your feet pointing towards the family altar in someone’s house.
Don’t venture out from your hotel with more cash than you really need for that day. It is not something to be paranoid about, simply do not make yourself a target for pickpockets or drive-by bag snatchers in the big cities. Ho Chi Minh City seems to be a little worse than anywhere else in Vietnam. It is one of the safest countries you could wish to travel in.
Please don’t lose your temper in public or when bargaining for a purchase. This is considered a serious loss of face for both. Always maintain a cool and happy demeanor and you will be reciprocated the same.
Please don’t try and take photographs of military installations or anything to do with the military. This can be seen as a breach of national security.
Vietnam Trip – You Asked, We Answered
Q What airlines did you fly to Vietnam from Dubai?
I flew with Emirates Airlines to Ho Chi Minh CityQ How many hours is it to Vietnam?
A From Dubai to Vietnam is under 6 hours. From Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) to Dubai is under 7 hours
Q Did you have to take any injections/prevention before flying out?
A NopeQ Is it safe to travel to Vietnam with Children?
A Yes! It’s a wonderful destination for familiesQ You mentioned you went for a retreat, do you recommend Six Senses Nihn Van Bay?
A Yes! Highly recommended! You may find Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas in some of the most extraordinary and stunning locations on earth. It provides expertly tailored guest experiences that are offered by people with a variety of backgrounds in order to stimulate, invigorate, and renew the human spirit. Six Senses luxury resorts are intimate, offering an emotionally intelligent approach to service that begins with empathy and sustainability commitments.Q What kind of food is there?
Vietnamese food is one of the most succulent food out there! It is unforgettable! From famous spring rolls (my favorite!) to the Vietnamese national dish ‘Pho’ (pronounced “fur”), a noodle soup eaten at any time of day but primarily at breakfast. One of my favorites is Nom Hua Chuoi or banana-flower salad, which is a great meat-free option. Lime and chili are the key flavors and add a refreshing punch to the shredded veg.Q Why do you love Vietnam?
A What’s not to love? Great food and fantastic seafood and one of the best street food! Fantastic beautiful beaches! Kind people! So much raw and real history and energy! Wonderful sightseeing and adventures! If you are a coffee lover, it is the 2nd biggest producer of coffee in the world! The floating markets! One of Vietnam's most beautiful regions is the hill station of Sapa, which is located in the country's northwest. Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Town…need I go on? Vietnam today is still almost ‘untouched’. Visit as soon as you can before it becomes over-saturated with tourists.Q How did you get to Six Senses Nihn Van Bay?
To get to Six Senses Nihn Van Bay, you must fly into Ho Chi Minh City. If your flight lands after 4pm, then you will need to stay one night in Ho Chi Minh and catch the early flight (or to your convenience) from Vietnam Airlines to Cam Ranh International Airport (Usually coded ‘CXR’). The flight is one hour. After that, a car will drive you to the jetty (1-hour drive) and a 20-minute boat ride to the resort. Not too bad at all.Q Could you please help me with the Yoga packages?
A Yes! They have 3 programs of 3 nights, 5 nights, 7 nights, 10 nights, and 14 nights. The programs are 1) Yoga Detox 2) Discover Yoga 3) Yogic Sleep. Each with separate inclusions from Wellness consultations, Yoga, Holistic massages, Reiki, Detox massages, meditation, and Yogic Intestinal Cleanse. Starting price per person is $275 for starting packages. My suggestion is that you email the resort directly and have them send you the price list. | E-mail: reservations-ninhvan@sixsenses.comQ Do we need a visa?
Depending on what passport you carry. You can have a look here, it’s pretty basic and reliable.Q Which do you prefer? North or South?
The North is extraordinary, with the top being the region north of Ha Giang (Dong Van), the breathtaking Halong Bay, and the magic “Halong Bay on Land” of Ninh Binh/Tam Coc. In the Center, the mausoleums of Hue are unique and Hoi An a darling; in the South, 3-4 days in the Mekong Delta is quite an experience.Q Any tips on Ho Chi Minh City and safety?
A Yes! Do watch out for pocket thieves. Do not hang your camera on your shoulder; your bag must be hugged at all times. If you carry a backpack with a camera or personal belongings, carry it facing frontwards. Just use common sense. Apart from that, enjoy it to the max!Q What is the best type of clothing for Vietnam?
It will really depend on where you travel to, when you plan on traveling, and what you plan on doing. Please note that the weather can be very cold during the winter in Northern Vietnam (Nov to Mar) and quite cool in the central highlands (Dalat). You will need to bring a good jacket along for this time of the year, the average temperature is about 15 C, but can get as cold as 3 C.Q Are there any strict rules in Vietnam?
Before venturing out from your hotel, make sure you do have a hotel business card with you. This will make your return to the hotel in a taxi much easier!For longer excursions from your hotel, it is always a good idea to carry a roll of toilet paper in your pack or purse. You never know when you will need it!
Please always dress appropriately. Not only for the Vietnam climate but also to not cause offense to the local people. Vietnamese (and many tourist sites) have conservative dress codes. It is only in larger cities, like Saigon that these codes are relaxed a little.
Always leave your excess cash, airline tickets, passports, and valuables in the hotel’s safety deposit box.
Always be aware when entering someone’s home as at some homes you must please remove your shoes at the front door.
Please always ask permission first when taking a photograph of someone. If they indicate that they do not want you to, then abide by their wishes. Please do not push the issue or offer money. There are some times when you shouldn’t even ask. Go with your gut instinct.
Don’t wear shorts, dresses or skirts, or tops with low-neck lines and bare shoulders to Temples and Pagodas. To do this is considered extremely rude and offensive.
Please don’t give sweets and candies to the local children when trekking through ethnic minority villages. It is extremely important to remember this! Many of these people do not have access to dental health. If you would like to give pens/paper, ask your guide to introduce you to the local school and give them to the teacher for distribution.
Don’t sleep or sit with the soles of your feet pointing towards the family altar in someone’s house.
Don’t venture out from your hotel with more cash than you really need for that day. It is not something to be paranoid about, simply do not make yourself a target for pickpockets or drive-by bag snatchers in the big cities. Ho Chi Minh City seems to be a little worse than anywhere else in Vietnam. It is one of the safest countries you could wish to travel in.
Please don’t lose your temper in public or when bargaining for a purchase. This is considered a serious loss of face for both. Always maintain a cool and happy demeanor and you will be reciprocated the same.
Please don’t try and take photographs of military installations or anything to do with the military. This can be seen as a breach of national security.
Q What are the basic rules when greeting someone?
A slightly head bow or offer a handshake with both hands and a light head bow.
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