Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia, and witnesses a lot of tourist footfall every year. It is also a widely picked destination by every kind of traveler. Be it an adventure seeker, regular tourist, gap year traveler, or holiday tripper. Vietnam, with its subtle present and a yelling past, has something for everyone. But then, again, be it a regular tourist or a volunteer traveler, one must be aware of certain traditional and social norms in order to have a pleasant travel experience.
Here is what i learnt from my trip to Vietnam that one must Do and try not to at the same time;
The Do’s:
- Do take railways for inter-city travels. It is recommended to be one of the best ways to wander the nation.
- Drink a good amount of water in appropriate intervals. Volunteering the entire day takes a lot of energy (even exploring around) and you would not want to dehydrate.
- Do take permission before taking someone’s picture. Clicking photographs without prior permission reflects intrusion in privacy.
- Keep your travel documents, credit cards, and other important belongings at a known, safe place.
- Do indulge in some meaningful volunteer work in Vietnam. There are several placement agencies you can find online who provide affordable project placements in Vietnam. A nice way to give something back to the people here.
- If you have a habit of carrying a bag with you all the time, make sure you place it in front of your rather than on your back.
- Do take off your shoes when entering someone’s house, or a temple.
- Do make sure you have proper medical insurance with your before you arrive to Vietnam.
- Do go for bargains when shopping from a local market. Being a foreigner, the vendors will start from a high price.
The Don’ts:
- Don’t point your feet toward someone when sitting in an area. It shows utter disrespect.
- Do not take pictures of military buildings or occupies. It reflects the breach of national security.
- Do not get too close and cozy with your male/female partner in public. Public display of affection is not considered good social ethics.
- Do not raise your voice, lose temper, or show anger when having a discussion. It is considered very impolite.
- Avoid carrying heavy cash when traveling through a public transport. Try and keep plastic money as much as possible.
- Just because it is a developing nation, you do not have to be paranoid about your safety or any other thing. Situations work just fine in the country, if you stay aware of your surroundings.
- Avoid wearing short or sleeveless clothes, especially, when visiting a pagoda or a temple in Vietnam. The chances are you might not be allowed to even enter the temple premises.
- Do not rush for anything. People in Vietnam take their time for executing any action.
Vietnam is most certainly one of the most beautiful and tranquil places you can visit in South East Asia region. And following these simple steps can escalate your experience several notches. I would be more than happy to answer any kind of queries related to this destination or article. Happy Traveling!
Author Bio
An engineer by education, writer by profession, traveler by passion, and big time foodie by obsession. I like to travel places, and that prompted me to take up writing as i wanted to share my experiences with the unlimited audience.