Travel Essentials

Vietnam: What To Know Before You Go

Q: What is the emergency number in Vietnam?

Police: 113, Ambulance: 115, Fire: 114

Plugs: Types A, C and F, 220 V. Emergency: Police 113, Ambulance 115, Fire 114. Tipping: Not expected, but rounding up or 5-10% in tourist restaurants and for guides is appreciated. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water..

Open The Vietnam Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types A, C and F, 220 V

Emergency Numbers

Police	113
Ambulance	115
Fire	114

Checked 13 Oct 2026 against the official page: gov.uk

Tipping

Not expected, but rounding up or 5-10% in tourist restaurants and for guides is appreciated.

Water And Health

Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Vaccines: Routine vaccines, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid; rabies and Japanese encephalitis for some travelers.
Malaria: Risk in rural areas only; none in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Nha Trang, and Quy Nhon.

Checked 13 Oct 2026 against the official page: wwwnc.cdc.gov

Apps To Download Before You Go

Grab: The dominant app for motorbike taxis, cars and food delivery.
Xanh SM: The fast-growing Vietnamese electric taxi and motorbike service by VinFast.
Be: A popular local ride-hailing alternative to Grab.
Zalo: Vietnam's own messaging app, used by hotels, shops and locals more than WhatsApp.
MoMo: The leading Vietnamese e-wallet; QR payment is everywhere but needs a local bank link.
ShopeeFood: One of the biggest food delivery services alongside GrabFood.
Vietnam Railways (dsvn.vn): Book the Reunification Express and other trains between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Vexere: Book sleeper buses and limousines between cities.
BusMap: Public bus routes and Ho Chi Minh City metro information.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. A handshake and slight nod is standard; use both hands or the right hand to give and receive items, especially with elders.

Shoes and temples. Remove shoes when entering homes and some shops; dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees) at pagodas and temples.

Head and feet. Avoid touching someone's head, and don't point your feet at people, altars or Buddha statues.

Safety And Scams

Vietnam is one of the safer countries in Southeast Asia for tourists, with low rates of violent crime, though petty theft and traffic hazards are common in big cities.

Motorbike bag-snatching. Thieves on motorbikes grab bags and phones from pedestrians in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; keep bags on the side away from traffic.

Unmetered taxis. Airport taxis without meters overcharge tourists; use Grab or Be ride-hailing apps instead.

Sympathy/petition scams. People approach with sad stories or fake petitions asking for money; decline politely and donate to verified charities if you want to help.

Women travelers. Solo women travel widely and generally safely in Vietnam, though they can be a bigger target for scams than men; use hotels with an online booking record and avoid isolated areas at night.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Legal · Mostly Safe

Same-sex relations are legal and there is no history of criminalization; same-sex marriage isn't legally recognized but the social climate is quietly tolerant, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café)	30,000 VND	$1.20
Local bus or metro ride	9,000 VND	$0.35
Mid-range restaurant meal	150,000 VND	$6
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	200,000 VND	$8
Mid-range hotel (night)	1,100,000 VND	$45
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	2,200,000 VND	$90

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

November to April (the dry season) is best overall, especially February-April for warm, low-rainfall weather across most of the country; the monsoon (May-October) brings heavy rain, mainly in the north and center.

Do You Need A Visa?

Vietnam visa requirements by nationality

Phrases

Basic Vietnamese phrases

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