7 mistakes foreign tourists often make when coming to Vietnam

Joshua Zukas, a writer who spent 12 years living in Hanoi and has co-authored 10 Vietnam travel guidebooks, shared an article in the American newspaper Business Insider about 7 mistakes first-time visitors to Vietnam often make.

He asserted that Vietnam is a country with "timeless charm", a tropical paradise with "unspoiled landscapes and beaches". However, due to the abundance of different information on social media, many first-time visitors to Vietnam make mistakes.

Northwest mountainous landscape

PHOTO: JOSHUA ZUKAS

The first mistake many people make is thinking they can conquer the country in just one trip.

Maps can sometimes be deceiving, as many tourists think that Vietnam appears modest in area.

In fact, Vietnam is about the same size as Japan or Italy. The sheer arduousness of getting from one place to another is never understated. Traveling between most two cities in Vietnam can take almost a day, so for a week or two trip, it is better to focus on one area rather than trying to see it all.

The second mistake is trying to fight the weather.

Vietnam’s weather isn’t always sunny, something travelers need to take into account. Mountain winters (December and January) can be bitterly cold; the Mekong Delta gets muggy at the end of the dry season (March and April); and typhoons hit the central region in the autumn (October and November). However, severe weather conditions can occur almost anywhere at any time.

Instead of getting angry about the weather ruining their vacation, travelers can plan accordingly, pack carefully and remember that extreme weather is a part of everyday life in Vietnam.

The weather in Vietnam varies significantly from region to region.

PHOTO: JOSHUA ZUKAS

Third, don’t chase the tourist crowds. In the age of overtourism , chasing the crowds often means being crowded. Vietnam is safe, and he finds that much of the country is eager to welcome visitors. Rather than rushing to tick off must-see destinations, his most rewarding trips have come from focusing on what really excites him.

Fourth, don’t listen to international social media influencers who have little experience with the destination because their content is not authentic and often sets unrealistic expectations. Instead, look for people (many of whom are foreigners) who create content in Vietnam, who share deeper expertise about cuisine , culture or nightlife…

Don't miss street food in Vietnam

PHOTO: JOSHUA ZUKAS

The fifth mistake is ignoring simple street foods.

Some tourists shy away from street food due to hygiene concerns. Instead, they opt for tourist restaurants with flashy menus promising great experiences, from Australian brunch to Italian pizza to Thai curry.

But the best food in Vietnam is often served in affordable restaurants that specialize in a particular dish, such as street stalls and family restaurants.

It is also worth noting that Ho Chi Minh City is famous for its fresh snails, which are boiled, steamed, stir-fried or grilled and served with a variety of dipping sauces.

The sixth mistake is to refuse a local SIM card. Mobile data is almost always faster, more reliable, and very cheap in Vietnam, rarely costing more than $10 a month. Viettel has wide coverage across the country, while Vinaphone and Mobifone are known for having stronger coverage in the cities.

Joshua Zukas in a photo taken during Tet in Vietnam

PHOTO: JOSHUA ZUKAS

The final mistake is not paying attention to guidebooks. Buying a guidebook (hard copy or digital) is one of the smartest travel choices you can make. “Good books are well-researched, thoughtful, and sophisticated works, often the result of months, or in my case, years, of field research,” he emphasizes.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/7-sai-lam-du-khach-nuoc-ngoai-thuong-mac-phai-khi-den-viet-nam-185250903112457086.htm