Of course, we cannot say that this is absolutely all of Vietnam, especially since we left one of the interesting regions (Sapa and surroundings) for the next time, but nevertheless, during this time, we made both a general impression of the country and recorded many details about the peculiarities of Vietnam and the Vietnamese.
We regularly make notes about all the interesting facts both during the preparation for the trip and, of course, during the trip itself, and now we have systematized our notes and present to your attention 90 facts about Vietnam that surprised us.
In many ways, these facts are based on our observations and this is the Vietnam that we saw. If your opinion on some points differs from ours - welcome to the comments!
1. Second place in consumption of rice per capita firmly holds Vietnam, yielding first place to Burma. The average Vietnamese eats 169 kg (!) Of rice per year, i.e. a family of two requires almost a kilogram of rice a day. Well, about the variety of rice varieties (there are dozens of them here), you can not even stutter, or do you still think that there are 3-5 types of them :)?
2. Pho soup is one of the most popular Vietnamese dishes. This is a soup with rice noodles and most often beef, although it also happens with chicken or fish. Pho soup is served in almost every cafe and restaurant, there is even a network of establishments called PHO24. Vietnamese eat it with chopsticks, mainly for breakfast.
3. Ban mi or French baguette sandwich- This is another very popular dish in Vittenam. The baguette is cut and put inside a variety of fillings: meat, fish, tofu, eggs, herbs, it turns out such a street Subway
4. Fish sauce is very popular in Vietnamese cuisine.- it is made from fish that has been subjected to a fermentation process. To put it simply, fish sauce is what comes out of fish mixed with salt and kept in barrels under pressure for several months. Doesn't sound very nice, does it? In general, the smell is even worse =) But the locals cannot imagine life without it.
5. Plastic trash bin that stands under every table is a must-have attribute in very cheap local eateries. If this is not provided, then visitors simply throw garbage under the table. Likewise, the waiter, when clearing the table, can sweep the garbage directly onto the floor. We saw the same habit of littering in local public catering earlier only in 
6. In the simplest cafes - "for the locals" As a rule, there is no menu, there is a choice of 2-3 standard dishes (rice and noodles) with several variations.
7.
In the tourist spots of Vietnam- complete culinary abundance. Any cuisines of the world, a large selection of seafood, coffee shops, in general, whatever your heart and soul desires. Of all the variety we tasted only crocodile and frog legs, but here you can try almost any exotic - turtle, scorpion, ostrich meat, eat the heart of a snake or drink the blood of a cobra 
8. Hot Pot Is a popular tourist attraction in Vietnamese restaurants. A gas stove is placed on the table, and a saucepan with broth is placed on it, where the ingredients are added in the process either independently or with the help of a waiter 
9. Low, as if for children, highchairs and tables right on the road Is another bright and memorable feature of Vietnamese catering. Moreover, decently dressed office employees can also dine in such places. 
10. Hanoi has where instead of tables and chairs there are baths with toilets, and food and drinks are served in mini-frescoes and medical ducks 🙂
11. Vietnam is the largest exporter of dragonfruit (pitahaya)- we drove several times past huge, endless "cactus" plantations, strewn with red fruits 
12. Vietnamese money(dongs, 20,000 VND ~ $ 1 USD) are made of plastic (polymer money) - they do not get wet, do not tear and practically do not get dirty.
13. Vietnamese traders, for the most part, they seemed to us not too friendly. If they do not understand something, for example, ordering in a cafe or in the market, they often simply dismiss, they say, go, than they will get into the situation, they will prompt you for something. Although if they still manage to sell their products to tourists, then they become more satisfied 
14. In general, Vietnamese- quite friendly and helpful people. They often look gloomier than Thais, but when you talk to them, they start to smile broadly. 
15. In terms of production and export of coffee, Vietnam ranks second(yielding to Brazil), and the first in the production and export of robusta. In 2012, Vietnam managed to overtake Brazil in total coffee exports, and this despite the fact that the total area of Vietnam's territory is almost 30 times less!
16. Coffee shop - this is a place where you can meet representatives of any stratum of the local population. Absolutely everyone loves coffee, and they are ready to drink it several times a day, sipping sip after sip for hours, at least we got just that impression.
17. At the same time, according to the consumption of coffee per capita Vietnam is only in 93rd place (considering that Russia is in 57th place, and the first, unexpectedly, is Finland). About 95% of the coffee grown is exported.
18. Vietnamese coffee- very tasty and aromatic, just a divine drink. We have never been fans of coffee before, and it was in Vietnam that we got hooked on it.
19. Traditional way of brewing coffee- using a special metal filter that is installed directly on the cup. Ground coffee is put into it and poured with boiling water, and the finished drink slowly, drop by drop enters the cup, thus the brewing process is a meditative part of the coffee ritual 
20. The process of coffee drinking is also similar to the ritual- despite the fact that the drink is strained a little through such a filter, a real Vietnamese can stretch it for almost an hour, sipping it in small sips 
21. This coffee usually turns out to be very strong... Sometimes they drink it just like that, but more often - with condensed milk (milk / white coffee), and the amount of condensed milk and coffee turns out to be about the same 
22. In the southern part of the country, by default, it is assumed that the coffee will be cold, with ice - this is how they used to drink it here. Therefore, if you want a hot drink, it is better to clarify this at the time of ordering. Cold coffee is brewed in the same way, just then pour it into a glass with ice 
23. When ordering coffee, almost everywhere, green tea is brought free of charge. Often - hot in the morning, and cold at lunchtime, with ice. Oh, how many dirty dishes remain after a very small company)). Guess how many visitors there actually were at this table? 
24. There is a large selection of coffee by weight in shops and markets- both in grains and ground, of a wide variety of varieties. There are both pure varieties of arabica or robusta, as well as all kinds of mixtures, and luwak is also popular. Prices: 150,000 - 500,000 VND ($ 7.5- $ 25) per 1 kg. There is also tea and ground bitter cocoa.
25. As a decoration, on tables in a cafe, instead of a vase of flowers, you can often see a pot of green rice sprouts 
26. A typical Asian name for a cheap hotel "guesthouse", which is so common among backpackers, is practically not used here - instead of it, more often, they use "motel". At the same time, in comparison with or, for the same money, you can get more decent housing here, for example, for $ 10 / day you can rent a room with air conditioning, refrigerator, TV, wi-fi, balcony, towels (which will also be changed every day ), hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes) and flip flops =) 
27. Vietnamese - Vietnam isn't just about women, but also slippers (they are flip flops, they are slates). They are so popular here that they are mandatory in almost any hotel / guesthouse, and we, more often than not, came across it in blue, apparently, this is the general standard. It is very convenient, especially when traveling light, to find flip flops in the room - we went to the beach in them and took them on excursions to the islands and beaches.
28. Rooms that are called singles here(single) are 30% cheaper than double, but they are quite suitable for two, because the bed is still double and all accessories (toothbrushes, towels, slates) are presented in duplicate. But this rule does not apply in expensive hotels (4 * and 5 *).
29. Standard practice when checking into inexpensive hotels- to pick up passports and return them only after eviction, apparently, there are times when guests leave in the morning without paying. Since we are very sensitive to our passports, we always tried to leave some other ID with a photo (for example, a water certificate), but this does not work everywhere. In decent hotels, passports are not taken.
30. Guesthouses are often narrow buildings, one room wide, most often with balconies on the front side facing the road. The rest of the rooms - with windows to the side or no windows at all.
31. Often guesthouses, and indeed houses in general, are built right next to each other, so that you get common walls. From the outside, it even seemed to us that we had one building in front of us, but in fact - these are 4 different 
32. Motorbikes are driven into the lobby of guesthouses at night, and even very decent ones - with marble floors, mirrored walls and antique furniture 
33. Numbering of floors in buildings - as in, here traces of French colonization can be traced. The lowest floor is ground, followed by the first, second, etc. With the exception of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, buildings everywhere are generally low-rise - 4-5 floors, less often 7-8.
34. However, in Vietnam there are several places where you can see the city from above. In Hanoi, we climbed, with an observation deck SKY72 on the 72nd floor and a circular panorama of the entire city. In Ho Chi Minh City - to the observation deck in the Bitexco Financial Tower, and in Vungtao, they admired the city and the South China Sea from the statue, just like in Rio de Janeiro.
66. Ticket offices for many natural attractions(waterfalls, parks), close at 4-5 pm, and daylight hours lasts until 6, so by accidentally arriving at the place after the ticket office closes, you can save on entrance tickets - we did it quite unplanned a couple of times.
67. In Vietnam, you can not only ride the usual Asian elephants, but also arrange a ride on an ostrich.
68. Vietnamese are very fond of swimming., however, they almost do not swim, but go into the water up to the waist and splash in the waves, and they do it in clothes 
69. They even snorkel in clothes, and even in life jackets 
70. Due to the mountainous terrain, the climate in different regions of Vietnam varies significantly. For example, you can swim and sunbathe in Nha Trang, and after driving only 140 kilometers to Dalat, it's great to freeze - early in the morning and after sunset, the temperature drops to +16.
71. Even at +20 it's really cold here. When we had to ride a bike with a breeze in T-shirts and light jackets, we froze, even a runny nose appeared and our throat ached. In such weather, locals wear warm jackets and hats, and brag with horror when we report that in Russia in winter it happens even -20))
72. Two-toed socks are popular among the locals to continue wearing flip-flops instead of closed shoes even in cold weather.
73. In some cities, French architecture, embankments and streets, caused us nostalgia for European travel, and Dalat, which is called the Vietnamese Paris, even has its own "Eiffel Tower". There are flowerbeds on the streets, the city really in places resembles 
74. In cities, you can often see neatly trimmed lawns, in the form of flowers, boats, teapots, etc.
75. There are quite a few waterfalls in Vietnam. In the vicinity of Dalat, there is one of the most beautiful among all that we have ever seen - Pongur waterfall, very powerful and majestic 
76. Somewhere in the villages(including, in the vicinity of Dalat, Daklak, Sapa and) the remains of the ancient color have been preserved - local peoples with their customs, traditions and costumes, as well as unusual houses 
77. All students in Vietnam wear a uniform- in the lower grades, a mandatory element of clothing is a pioneer tie, in high school they wear a white and blue uniform, and the most beautiful among high school students, especially girls, are silk snow-white dress pants. In many schools, children study from 7 to 11 
78. Vietnamese, in the old-fashioned way, treat Russians very well- partly because of the common socialist past, partly because of the assistance that the Soviet Union provided in the war with.
80. Vietnam has an unusual tradition- next to some landmarks, as a donation, you can install a bench with your name and country / city engraved 
81. There is a rather unusual place for the tropics in the south of Vietnam.- sand dunes. Previously, we saw such only in and on the border with Pakistan, in 
82. The Vietnamese decorate graves in cemeteries in a rather unusual way- lay them out with ceramic tiles, like for a bathroom 🙂 
83. Even in hot weather, under the scorching sun, the Vietnamese wear jeans and sweaters - in order to sunbathe as little as possible, dark skin is considered the lot of the lower classes of the population.
84. Many Vietnamese walk around the city wearing masks on their faces- at first we thought it was dust protection, but then we were told that in this way they also protect the face from the sun's rays 
85. Lotteries are very popular in the country- tickets are sold literally on every corner 
86. Monk with a camera and an iPhone here is a common picture, it’s even interesting how they are doing with vows and prohibitions 
87. Vietnamese are often seen on the streets playing dominoes, checkers, cards or backgammon 
88. One of the memorable symbols of Vietnam- vendors in the streets and markets, in cone-shaped straw hats 
89. In the south of the country is the Mekong Delta- the largest river on the Indochina Peninsula. They lead along it, where you can see river markets in boats, as well as see how they live in 
90. There is an amazing place in the north of the country, which is included in, a tour of which you should definitely include in your itinerary if you love nature
Vietnam is notable for its beautiful nature, ancient temple complexes and quality hotels with good service and low prices. The capital Hanoi and the bustling Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay and the resort of Phan Thiet - all about Vietnam: weather, reviews, tours and maps.
- Last Minute Tours around the world
There is an opinion that Vietnam is the same Thailand, only more natural, not so "captured" by tourists. In fact, these are two completely different countries, each with its own chips, and in Thailand there are very wild corners, and in Vietnam - resorts with the most advanced infrastructure. The real Vietnam is the ancient temple complexes of bygone civilizations and the natural beauty of national parks, healthy and delicious food, the cheapest diving in the world and resorts with a distinct European flavor: after all, a former French colony. In addition, here you can have plenty of nostalgia for the recent social past: the flag - well, almost like our former, and there are pioneers in ties, and even a leader in the mausoleum.
If Vietnam magically suddenly found itself closer to Central Russia, the tourist flow to this country would certainly increase many times over. Indeed, among the tangible disadvantages of this direction is only a long and, therefore, expensive flight. Everything else - solid pluses: an unusual and exciting "excursion", beautiful beaches with ample opportunities for outdoor activities, an extensive and high-quality hotel base, low prices in hotels, restaurants, excursions.
The South is the heart of the economy. Here is the largest city of Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City, and there are expensive hotels, the best restaurants, numerous shops and other benefits of civilization. The main resorts of the south are the luxurious Phu Quoc, youthful Nha Trang and the quieter Phan Thiet. More information about the country's tourist geography is described on the page "Cities and resorts of Vietnam".
Time difference to Moscow
4 hours
- with Kaliningrad
- with Samara
- with Yekaterinburg
- with Omsk
- with Krasnoyarsk
- with Irkutsk
- with Yakutsk
- with Vladivostok
- with Severo-Kurilsk
- with Kamchatka
Climate
About a third of Vietnam is located 500 m above the sea, so the climate there is subtropical, and in areas above 2000 m it is even temperate. From April-May to October, southeastern monsoons bring warm and humid weather to the country - except in areas protected by mountains.
In the south of Vietnam (from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet), two seasons can be distinguished - wet and dry. The first traditionally lasts from May to November, the rainiest months are June-August. The second usually starts in December and ends in April. This is the most favorable time for European tourists. "Velvet" months - January and February: soft sun, refreshing sea water. From late February to May, there are hot days without rain.
The best time to visit Vietnam is when rain is least likely: from April-May to October-November.
The climate of Central Vietnam (from the resort of Nha Trang to the ancient capital of Hue): from February to August - clear, rains are rare, the temperature is +30 ... + 35 ° C. In mid-December - torrential rains, in October-November in the area of Da Nang and Hue, typhoons are possible, the temperature is +20 ... + 28 ° C.
In the north of the country (from Hanoi to the seaside resort of Halong), the winter and summer seasons are more clearly marked than in the south. The winter, cool and humid, lasts from November to February, in February and March it is constantly drizzling "pound" rain. The summer season begins abruptly in May: high humidity, temperatures up to +40 ° C.
Visa and customs
Russian citizens arriving in Vietnam for a period of up to 15 days do not need a visa, provided that during this time they will not leave the country, and on Phu Quoc Island you can relax without a visa for as much as 30 days. But in both cases, it is worth taking out a health insurance policy in advance for the entire duration of the trip.
- Is hotel reservation an invitation when applying for a visa to Vietnam?
How to get to Vietnam
From St. Petersburg you can get to Vietnam only with a transfer in Moscow, Europe or Asia, but from Vladivostok to Hanoi you can fly directly by Vladivostok Air (1 flight every 2 weeks).
Two low-cost airlines fly from China, Laos and Cambodia to Vietnam - Air Asia and VietJet Air.
Two daily trains run between China and Vietnam: Beijing - Hanoi (from 304 USD, travel time - 37 hours) and Nanning - Hanoi (from 37 USD in a double compartment, travel time - 11.5 hours). Both trains leave China in the evening and arrive in Hanoi in the morning. Prices on the page are for April 2019.
Search for flights to Vietnam
Transport
Domestic flights are great for moving between cities scattered across Vietnam. Prices are low, ticket prices start from 900,000 VND. You can also go by train, they are quite comfortable. It takes about 30 hours to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, during which time the whole country will fly past the windows. Buses are the cheapest option for traveling in Vietnam, but it is better to use them over short distances, otherwise it will take too much time.
Vietnam maps
Rent a car and moped in Vietnam
Those who are accustomed to renting a car in distant countries should think about it - the traffic in Vietnam is poorly organized, the rules are rarely followed, getting confused in signs and junctions is a piece of cake. In addition, for independent driving, you will have to issue a local driver's license, and they are issued only if you have a visa for 3 or more months. The solution is to rent a car with a local driver.
But for renting a bike or moped, you don't need a license. But this option is suitable for small resorts with low traffic, about driving a moped in Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City without decent driving skills in Southeast Asia, it is better not to stutter.
- What documents are required to rent a car in Vietnam
Connectivity and Wi-Fi
Tourists rarely complain about mobile communications in Vietnam. It is inexpensive and covers almost the entire country, including small towns and villages. Local calls cost from 1700 VND per minute, a nice bonus - there is no roaming in Vietnam, you can use one SIM card in any city, a call to Russia will cost from 3000 VND per minute.
Everything is good in Vietnam and with the Internet, especially in large cities. Mobile Internet is often faster and more convenient than hotel Wi-Fi, but it needs to be connected separately, see the SIM card package for details. The speed and tariffs of the operators are about the same, which saves you from the agony of choice. Free Wi-Fi is available in almost all hotels and restaurants.
Vietnam hotels
In large cities of Vietnam, the choice of hotels is very diverse - from mini-hotels to luxury establishments. The service in them, in general, is at the average European level. Type of food - breakfasts (most) or half board, the "all inclusive" system is practically not found here. The buffet is extremely varied. All rooms from 3 to 5 "stars" are equipped with air conditioning, TV with satellite channels and telephone, more expensive options also include bathrobes, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, safes and minibars.
Accommodation prices are kept at about the same level throughout the year. A night in a luxury hotel in Hanoi will cost from 1,850,000 VND per day for a double room, in a four-star hotel - from 740,000 VND, in a good "three-ruble note" - from 200,000 VND, and accommodation for the night in a hostel will cost from 80,000 VND per person per day.
Mains voltage 220 V, frequency 50 Hz. The plugs are mostly flat connectors. Rooms in many hotels are equipped with universal sockets, which will accept plugs of almost any configuration. If necessary, the hotel staff will find the required adapter.
Money
The country's monetary unit is the Vietnamese dong (VND), in 1 dong 10 hao or 100 sous. Current rate: 1000 VND = 2.79 RUB (1 USD = 23 240.09 VND, 1 EUR = 26 348.89 VND).
It is better to go to Vietnam with dollars and euros, the dollar exchange rate is slightly more profitable, but for small amounts the difference is insignificant. Rubles are rarely accepted and give little for them. Currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, jewelry stores, travel agencies, markets and even at airports - the rate is about the same everywhere, there are practically no extortionate markups. But street money changers can deceive and give out 10,000 VND instead of 100,000 VND in the expectation that the tourist will not notice the difference.
A paranoid note: Vietnamese dong bills are made of thin plastic, it almost does not wrinkle and is not afraid of sea water. You can safely swim with a "cutlet" in a secret pocket of swimming trunks.
How to avoid problems
Vietnam is one of the safest places in Asia, but even here pickpockets and scammers should be wary. The latter are found in various places - an officer at the border who demands money for a free visa, an unfortunate pedestrian who suddenly materialized under the wheels of a bike with a tourist at the wheel, unscrupulous hoteliers and sellers can be a swindler.
As for everyday life, you should not drink tap water, it is better not to order drinks with ice in small cafes, not to lean on unusual food and fruits at the beginning of the trip, and to keep yourself in control in the presence of alcohol.
What other troubles can happen in Vietnam, how not to turn your body into a continuous crimson fire, where to change money and buy a SIM card, how not to lose the location of local residents, and also where to run and call in case of trouble, is described in the article “How avoid problems in Vietnam. "
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Vietnam beaches
Vietnam stretches from north to south along the shores of the South China Sea - there are incredibly many beautiful beaches in the country. Some are home to popular resorts and nightlife, others are ideal for extreme recreation - surfing, kiting or diving, and still others are magnificent for their wildness and desolation. Almost all the beaches of Vietnam are sandy, but in some places there is a pebble cover.
Within the boundaries of cities and resorts, most of the beaches are municipal, with free admission, changing cabins, showers and washbasins, sand is regularly cleaned and trash is removed, and umbrellas and sun loungers will cost a ridiculous 320,000-60,000 VND per day (you need to bargain). The pages "Beach Holidays in Vietnam" and "Beaches of Vietnam" will help you to choose your strip of gentle sand and gentle sea.
- Where in Vietnam you can combine beach and sightseeing holidays
- Which Vietnam resort is best for windsurfing
Diving
Diving in Vietnam is one of the cheapest in the world. At the same time, it is really interesting and organized at a quite decent level. There are many interesting dive sites off the coast of the country. The best in this regard are Nha Trang, Hoi An, Con Dao and Phu Quoc Islands. In addition to a wide variety of corals, you can see all kinds of molluscs, cuttlefish, octopus, squid, clown fish, moray eels, blowfish, groupers, manta rays and barracudas.
The most suitable time for diving is from October to April. The best diving season in Nha Trang is February to October, and on Phu Quoc Island from November to May. Near Nha Trang there are famous diving sites: Muren Beach, the "Rainbow" coral reef and many islands near the resort.
Con Dao Archipelago National Reserve consists of 14 islands and is located 300 km from the coastline. There you can find very rare mammals - dugongs (sea cows), large green turtles and many endemic animals and plants that do not live anywhere else.
Lovely Vietnam
Shopping
Vietnamese cuisine and restaurants
The best photos of Vietnam
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Legends and stories of Vietnam
Here's a quick excursion into the intricate history of the Vietnamese people. For more than three thousand years BC, the dragon king Lac Long Quan ruled the lands of present-day Vietnam. Once, puzzled by the procreation, he decided to ask the hand and heart of the fairy bird Au Ko. The beauty did not hesitate to accept the offer and within the prescribed time gave birth to ... a bag in which 100 eggs were found, and from each came one heir, the progenitor of 100 Vietnamese families. Whether the lady incubated the offspring or placed the offspring in an incubator - history is silent, but since then every self-respecting Vietnamese speaks of himself as a "child of a dragon, a grandson of the gods." The end of the story is very modern: after a while the couple separated - Lak Long Kuan chopped off half of the sons and left with them to the sea, and Au Ko took the remaining fifty and went to live in the mountains. How correctly Lev Nikolaevich remarked about happy and unhappy families!
To understand the secret of Vietnam's charm, look at any home in a small Vietnamese town. Here it stands, with a narrow facade, literally 3-4 meters, stretched far from the road (the fact is that families here are allocated not an area for houses, but a footage along the street, and very small), two- or three-story. The façade is very elegant, even, perhaps, somewhat variegated, double doors in its entire width are hospitably open. Above the entrance, evoking vague memories of the "20th Congress of the CPSU," flaunts a red flag with a gold star in the center. On the floor above, there is a small altar with a dark bronze Buddha dormant surrounded by smoking incense. And at the very top, on a tiny balcony, entwined with something with small pink flowers, the marble-white Virgin Mary humbly bows her head.
Guides in Vietnam
Entertainment and attractions
Vietnam is ready to delight guests with a variety of diverse activities: from riding elephants, visiting snake restaurants with crocodile reserves, national parks and fishing to casinos and nightclubs. The Ku-Chi guerrilla tunnels are considered the highlight of the country's excursion program, but besides them, there are more than enough attractions here.
TOURISTS ANSWERS:
About theft
What is serious, probably, can happen to you upon arrival in Vietnam - it is pickpocketing, because theft is not such a rarity here. It is not customary to use violence against visiting tourists here (due to the harsh punishments that deter those who could decide on such actions), the main problem is still in the actions of pickpockets and other "petty" criminals. Therefore, do not "sparkle" with money, do not carry with you constantly documentation, and better hand it over to the safe at the reception... You can keep with you the amount of funds required at the moment and photocopies of documents. When calculating count carefully the change- the locals, as elsewhere, are not averse to making some extra money on newcomers who, paying for the goods, “count the crows”. As for all kinds of swindlers, they are more common in the northern part of the country; communication with local sellers also often does not cause positive emotions.
About taxi drivers
When traveling by taxi agree with the driver in advance that the board will go according to the distance traveled - and check that the taximeter is on... There are enough people who like to earn extra money on transportation, the main thing is that at the end of the trip they do not rip off a huge amount from you: after all, taxi drivers are a separate race, they think the same in any country - since a visitor and with money, you can be a fool. As for the cycle rickshaws - negotiate the cost of the trip in advance and do not allow any changes while driving.
On the excesses of the bad
Fans of romantic adventures with local night workers need to keep an eye on their pockets - they would also like to get in there if you yawn. As for gambling, there are special establishments for foreign citizens; an attempt to involve locals in this case may be criminalized. With drugs in Vietnam, everything is very tough - it is categorically not advised to store, use or distribute (they will be punished severely - in Vietnam there is even the death penalty for serious crimes, and not only in this country - in Southeast Asia it is generally practiced).
On vacation, in principle, you should observe certain boundaries in behavior, if you do not want to become the prey of thieves or fraudsters - even more so if you are vacationing in another country (and so “different”!). I mean, first of all, of course, the way of spending time so beloved by Russian holidaymakers as drunkenness: everything is banal here - in such a state you can not only be robbed or dragged into some kind of scam. In Southeast Asia, there were cases with tourists when the locals offered them to try drugs, they agreed, and suddenly, out of nowhere, the police appeared, demanding a ransom. And finally, such an elementary advice - do not swim while intoxicated, was it worth going to distant lands in order to drown there ...
About healthcare
Insure yourself. You can take out insurance at your travel agency. Alternatively, you can pay a fee to International SOS in order to be able to use the medical services they provide. Emergency medical care in this country has not yet reached the level of Western countries, and it is unlikely that it will be soon, but branches of international hospitals are opening in large cities. In remote regions, however, there are problems with adequate medicine. Most of the villages have pharmacies and clinics. If you are not going to travel to places far from the modern beaten tourist routes, then you have nothing to worry about. The two main diseases in the country are malaria and avian influenza, but these troubles only affect remote areas, especially those near the Cambodian border. Use insect repellent, take in a trip minimum required medications(this is an obligatory point of any trip, and even more so to such an exotic country). More tourists in Vietnam may face such troubles as diarrhea and sunstroke(naturally, separately). The reason for the first lies in poorly cooked food, the second - in the abundance of sunlight. To protect yourself from the first trouble, try to eat where you are sure that there will be no bad consequences, especially when it comes to street food. When familiarizing yourself with local cuisine, behave wisely - after all, it can be difficult for a European to get used to them right away, local exoticism with its abundance of spices is not well absorbed by everyone. Save yourself from the second trouble with sunscreen, protect your head from direct sunlight with the help of hats and drink plenty of water. And the water must be bottled, running-through drinking is strictly prohibited - and this also applies to most third world countries. For those who came to the country for the first time, a certain period of adaptation to the local climate and food is required.
On a note: police phone -113, fire service -114, ambulance -115.
About etiquette and local customs
The locals are friendly towards visitors. A rule that is valid not only for Vietnam, but, probably, for any country in the world: learn a few words in the local language, and you will have a completely different attitude, because people are pleased when foreigners show interest in their language. It is worth showing respect for the local population in the style of behavior - for example, you should not walk around the city in beach clothes - for such a "outfit", in fact, there is the beach itself ... This is especially true for women. And indulge in the caresses of the southern sun topless is also not accepted here. You can talk about the war with the locals, but most of the people - those who can become your interlocutors - were born after those dramatic events, so the conversation is unlikely to be interesting and informative. In restaurants, you can eat with the devices that are more convenient for you - use at least chopsticks, at least a fork or a spoon. Local breakfast usually takes place in the early hours, while there is no heat, lunch lasts a long time, and they also dine early. Tips are usually not left here, you can thank the waiters by slightly rounding off the invoice amount.
In general, behave more or less calmly and carefully, and your vacation in Vietnam will pass without problems and leave only good memories!
Is the answer helpful?
Currency 
Vietnam's currency is called the Vietnamese dong (denoted by the symbols ₫ or VND). Subdivided into 10 hao or 100 sous. 1 US dollar = about 20,000 VND. International ATM machines can be found in most tourist centers throughout the country. It is better to use dongs if you shop in the countryside, but dollars are also accepted in larger centers. Credit cards are also accepted in many places, although small shops and restaurants may not accept them.
Security 
Vietnam is a rather safe country to travel. But, as in a number of Asian countries, petty theft is a major problem in tourist centers. Especially in Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang, where robberies occur most often. Violent crimes against foreigners, however, are not very common, but just keep everything under control when you go for a walk in the evening. Fraud, especially by travel agencies, is a plague in Vietnam and remains the main source of complaints among tourists to this day. So, before contacting any agency in Vietnam, research reviews on the Internet or contact those through which your friends signed up for services. Tours from Hanoi to Halong are at the height of bad deals.
Police 
It turns out that the local police do not speak English at all. Usually tourists go to the police with complaints about dodgy travel agents - in practice, policemen can do little, you don't even have to waste time. But, if it makes you feel better, apply as much as you want.
Health
Vietnam's health care is better than neighboring Cambodia and Laos, but still underdeveloped by Western standards. If there is any serious problem (pah-pah), I'm afraid I'll have to evacuate to Singapore or Thailand. Well, don't forget about the insurance.
Transport 
Vietnam has a comprehensive public transport system. Planes, trains and buses cover the whole country. However, the transport here is kind of slow, so if you are trying to see how much more Vietnam in your short trip, you risk spending most of the time on the road. Bus and train tickets for joy are very affordable. But it is better to book train tickets in advance.
Visas 
Entry into Vietnam is pretty straightforward. If you are traveling before 15, you do not need a visa. If for a longer period, a visa will be required. A visa to Vietnam can be obtained directly at the border upon arrival, and there is no visa fee for Russian citizens. If you want to stay in Vietnam longer, you need to make an online application through the Vietnam Immigration Department (then the visa will be pasted into your passport upon arrival at the airport) or contact the Vietnam Consulate in Moscow in advance. Also, your passport must be valid for at least another six months at the time of entry into the country.
Vietnamese language 
Vietnamese is very difficult. The written language can mislead foreigners, as some Latin letters do not sound at all the same as, say, in English. But don't even bother. In tourist towns and resorts, many Vietnamese speak English, although this is far from the overwhelming majority. In more remote areas, those who speak English can generally be counted on one hand. Some old Vietnamese can speak French rather than English.
Weather 
Vietnam has two seasons - hot dry season and hot wet season. But for us in Vietnam it is always very hot and somehow sweaty. Vietnam can be divided into three main zones where the weather conditions are quite different at the same time of the year.
And a few more words 
Vietnam, however, is not the most popular country in this area among tourists. Perhaps the root of this problem is fraud. I don’t know, it’s just that somehow more of us go to Thailand, everything is already tailored for our compatriots. But, in spite of all sorts of nasty things that are written on the Internet, and which I wrote, it is still a very random concept. I mean, you don't have to be shod with ten minutes after landing. The overwhelming majority of Vietnamese are honest and hardworking, they would rather treat you to beer than rip off a couple of dozen extra dollars for the same mug. And yet, such cases do happen, and you need to be a little more careful. Of course, if you climb into the jungle, away from the noisy tourist centers, the less likely you are to be warmed up by a travel agent. On the other hand, who wants to go to the jungle if you just want to lie on the beach? So don't worry too much. Vietnam is a magnificent country, and although it will be a bit more expensive to come here than to neighboring Cambodia, Laos and our good old Thailand.
Features of the mentality 
If you are invited to visit in Vietnam, then do not be surprised that the festive dinner will take place on the floor. But do not flop anywhere - there is a seat for all family members, so let the person who invited you show you where to sit. But this will most likely be the place next to the host, or the most comfortable place (since you are a special guest). And after dinner you will be offered to rest and stay overnight. It is not customary to finish everything off your plate - this way you show that you are not full, and you will quickly get more food. By the way, do not be surprised if the Vietnamese slurp and touch their feet with their hands while eating - this is generally normal. 
On the other hand, you will notice that fruits are eaten here very decorously: they are peeled and cut, and not bite off from a whole piece. It is also a little embarrassing that the Vietnamese can calmly spit on the floor next to the interlocutor, leave two meters and go to the toilet (if on the street, of course) or throw the leftovers directly on the table, and not on a plate. With all this, it seems like lack of culture, the Vietnamese are still very tactful and modest people. They are also very friendly. If you ask a Vietnamese about something on the street, he will certainly join the conversation and ask everything he needs. It is also quite normal that two men here walk by the hand or in an embrace - this is just a manifestation of friendship. At the same time, the open manifestation of tender feelings between a man and a woman in public places is not very common, so you should be more respectful.
Is the answer helpful?
In fact, a lot of kind and wonderful people live in Vietnam, which in no way prevents some of them from shamelessly deceiving tourists. Therefore, the example of Vietnam should be taught prudence. And the thing is that so-called dummy travel agencies are widespread here. Therefore, you can easily be sold or does not exist at all, or, at best, an excursion that does not match the description. 
In Vietnam, unfortunately, as well as in many countries of Southeast Asia, petty theft is very common, as is the snatching of bags and wallets. A lot of scammers are engaged in closely monitoring naive and inattentive tourists, who, instead of keeping an eye on their belongings, consider the crows in the area. Therefore, it is worth keeping all valuable things, especially cameras and bags in front of you, tightly pressing them to the body. Don't make yourself an easy target for street thieves.
In Vietnam, as in any other eastern country, it is customary and necessary to bargain. One has only to ask the seller a question about the cost of the goods, as you can immediately notice that he will think about how much money can really be ripped off you. Experienced sellers not only see, but even feel inexperienced buyers literally a mile away.
Therefore, keep in mind that sellers inflate the price in advance, knowing that any tourist will bargain with them. The most banal thing that can be advised here is that when going shopping, dress as simply as possible, in any case, try not to look like a rich man. For example, before going to the market, you can pull out all large bills from your wallet and stock up on only a trifle. And then more often tinkle her to add that this is all your money. Usually sellers at the sight of budget buyers are not so impudent. 
Even in large Vietnamese cities, not to mention small ones, it is customary to go to bed at eleven o'clock in the evening. Of course, the work of clubs and bars does not stop at night, but shops, restaurants and other organizations usually close at this time. Therefore, if you are staying in a hostel or guesthouse, specify in advance what time they close and what to do if you return later than this time.
In Vietnam, a seemingly simple act like crossing a road can seem like a real challenge. In fact, pedestrian crossings are marked here, but in fact this does not mean anything. Even when you step on the crossing, you should not wait for the flow of motorbikes to stop right there in front of you. And here you have to go at your own peril and risk. 
Therefore, a good advice - raise your right hand up and start slowly crossing the street. In this case, the drivers will somehow orient themselves, but just keep moving at a slow pace and do not make sudden movements. Do not try to maneuver in any way, it is better to move in a straight line. Just do not cross the road in front of large buses in this way, because it is much more difficult for them to brake. The Vietnamese themselves, in general, never raise their hands when crossing, they are probably kamikaze in life. But tourists practice such a rule of behavior all the time.
If you are not afraid to buy food on the street, then in any case, try to buy it where it is cooked right in front of you on an open fire. Never eat peeled fruits and raw meat. All of this can be pretty dangerous. Drink only bottled water, remember that drinking tap water in Vietnam is strongly discouraged. The Vietnamese themselves do not drink it and do not cook anything from it.
Since the tourism business in Vietnam has recently been developing at a very decent pace, the locals are beginning to adopt the Western way of life and habits that were completely uncharacteristic of the Vietnamese mentality. But still, in no way can it be said that the long traditions and rules of behavior that the Vietnamese have adhered to for many centuries (or even longer) will disappear so quickly. Like all the inhabitants of Southeast Asia, the Vietnamese sacredly honor these very rules and carefully observe them. Therefore, it would not hurt visiting tourists to show them due respect.
Having been on vacation for the first time in Vietnam and then returning home, many of our tourists sadly talk about many unpleasant incidents that happened to them on the territory of this generally hospitable country. This happened both with the staff and with bystanders in the streets, markets and shops. The fact is that a Vietnamese is, in fact, very difficult to anger, because by their nature they are incredibly calm, friendly and even somewhat phlegmatic people.
Well, for example, take this case - in Vietnam, the usual handshake for Western people as a way to say hello to each other has long been considered barbaric and even unacceptable. Today, with the advent of more and more tourists in the country, this method begins to slowly (very slowly) take root.
While in Hanoi, you can sometimes even see how two Vietnamese will shake hands with each other, but do not flatter yourself too much, such a handshake is acceptable here only for close relatives, spouses of good friends. Therefore, in any case, do not reach out first. Also, you should not touch Vietnamese with your hands at all, even if you just want to pat him on the shoulder. For him (or her) it will be a terrible insult. In particular, do not touch your head with your hands.
You should also remember that in Vietnam it is absolutely not customary to behave noisily - neither on the street, nor indoors. Because of this, Russian tourists are probably somewhat disliked here, for whom singing songs until 4 in the morning is something quite common. In Vietnam, this will be perceived as a sign of culturelessness and barbaric behavior.
Even the Vietnamese absolutely (even spiritually) do not tolerate familiarity. Therefore, even if you bought a super expensive ticket and are vacationing in Vietnam in a luxurious hotel in which wealthy Europeans live with you, you should not beckon the hotel staff with a wave of your hand or even beckon with your finger. It will also be perceived as an insult.
Take special care when eating in local cafes and restaurants. Try not to make any noise with your chopsticks at all, as this will be perceived here as uncultured chomping. Never touch other people's chopsticks, even if you take some dishes from the common plate and do not leave your chopsticks in the dishes.
There are special rules of conduct for visiting temples. Be sure to take off your shoes when entering. Women should have their head and shoulders covered. The statues should be bypassed strictly clockwise and in no case should you turn your back on them. In order not to offend the locals, after visiting the temple, buy something purely symbolic or just leave a small donation at the entrance.
And one more thing - try to smile as much as the locals really like friendly people. In Vietnam, you shouldn't drink tap water and brush your teeth with this water. It is best to use bottled water. If your vacation budget is very limited, then try to eat in those cafes that Vietnamese families go to. As a rule, they bring their loved ones only to decent establishments. And finally - do not trust randomly met people with your things and do not leave them unattended, unfortunately in Vietnam there are also enough scammers and pickpockets.
Departure information: you need to be at the airport 4 hours before departure with Vietnam Airlines and 2.5 hours before departure with charter flights. You yourself go through passport, customs control and check-in for the flight, which ends 40 minutes before departure. Free baggage allowances may vary from airline to airline. Please check the baggage rules with the airline on which you are flying.
Flight time: 9 - 10 o'clock
Time: ahead of Moscow by 4 hours
Customs: the import of foreign convertible currency is not limited, but it is necessary to declare an amount over $ 3,000, since the export of currency is allowed only within the limits of the declaration. Up to 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars or 500 grams are imported duty-free. tobacco, up to 2 liters. alcoholic beverages with a strength of up to 22 0C or 1.5 liters. strong alcoholic beverages (the total volume of imported alcohol should not exceed 3 liters), up to 5 kg of tea, up to 3 kg of coffee, a reasonable amount of perfumes and perfumes, as well as other goods with a total value of no more than 5 million dong. It is prohibited to import drugs and drug-containing medical preparations without a medical prescription for their use (the sanctions for importing drugs are extremely high, up to the death penalty), pornography, printed materials, CDs, audio and video recordings that offend local traditions. The import of household and computer equipment is subject to mandatory declaration, all undeclared equipment will be allowed for export only upon payment of customs duties or a receipt for its purchase from local trade organizations. It is recommended to retain evidence of all expenses incurred in the country during the period of stay. The export of national currency, antiques and works of art of artistic and historical value is prohibited without appropriate documentary registration. For the export of gold items weighing more than 300 g, a permit from the National Bank of Vietnam must be obtained. All types of weapons are forbidden to import and export from the country (you should not even buy edged weapons for the collection, anti-government materials). You can not export rare species of animals and plants. To import pets into Vietnam, you must have a veterinary certificate with a notarized translation into Vietnamese. To export pets from Vietnam, you must have a veterinary certificate.
Useful phone numbers:
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vietnam
Hanoi: tel. +84 438 336991
Ho Chi Minh City: tel. +84 893 03936
Da Nang: tel. +84 511 822380
Ambulance, police: 115, 113
Connection: international phone calls can be made from almost all major cities and towns, but for this you will have to use the services of call centers (located mainly in the building of post offices and in large organizations, the cost of a minute of conversation with Moscow is about 4 USD) or from rare specialized payphones (work with plastic cards). Within the country, you can call from almost any pay phone (the cost of a minute within Hanoi is about 10 cents, long-distance calls cost from 0.3 to 0.7 USD). Upon arrival in the country, you can immediately purchase a sim card from one of the local operators. Calls will cost significantly less: international calls to Moscow are 0.8 USD, local calls are even cheaper. The international telephone country code is 84. To call from Vietnam to Russia: 007 + area code + subscriber number. For calls within the country, 0 is first dialed, then the area code and the subscriber's number.
Transport: airplanes, buses, minibuses, trains, ships and ferries, taxis, motorcycles, bicycles, "se Om" (motorcycles-taxis), "cyclones" (cycle rickshaws), etc. Car taxis are paid according to the counter. When traveling long distances, you can tell the price in advance. The cost of a motorcycle taxi and a cycle rickshaw is also negotiated in advance. In Vietnam, taxis are inexpensive, and payment is strictly according to the meter. The fare depends on the make and year of manufacture of the car, on average 2000-3000 VND per 1 km plus delivery (approximately 6000 VND).
Money: payment is accepted both in Vietnamese dongs and in US dollars (an indicative rate of 1 USD - 18,000 dongs). Currency exchange is officially carried out only in banks or at points at hotels, at airports, any other form of currency exchange (in the markets) is considered illegal. In large cities and tourist areas, major credit cards are accepted for payment: Visa, American Express, Master Card, etc.
The shops: work 08:00 - 17:20. We recommend buying green tea, Vietnamese coffee, ceramics, lacquered woodwork, silk-embroidered paintings, jewelry, pearls. Vietnamese silk is of very high quality. In large cities, it makes sense to buy something from clothes or shoes. A huge amount of jewelry and silverware can be seen in the main urban markets of the country. Across the country, you can buy collections of bronze coins of the era of the empire - only a connoisseur can distinguish one coin from another and tell which one was minted when. The city's finest antique shops are clustered along Hang Gai and Hang Khai Streets in Hanoi, which has several ethnic shops selling souvenirs from Vietnam's many hill tribes. Also in the capital there is a large selection of items of clothing in the traditional oriental style - silk robes, kimonos, jackets. Prices are extremely low compared to Moscow prices.
Nutrition: Vietnamese cuisine is undoubtedly considered the finest in Southeast Asia. Not scalding, but delicate and piquant spices, minimal use of fats, an emphasis on fresh ingredients, a variety of rice, vegetables and seafood dishes make Vietnamese cuisine not only tasty, but also healthy. There are restaurants for every taste: Chinese, Thai, Indian, Korean, European, Vietnamese. Prices range from 2.5 to 25 USD. Food is often tastier in small restaurants, where you can dine for four for 10-12 USD. Traditionally, the locals' favorite Vietnamese dishes are fish, chicken and pork dishes along with cooked vegetables and rice or noodles. The French influence in Vietnamese cuisine is felt in the abundance of fresh baguettes, pâtés and cheeses available from street vendors everywhere. The country also inherited the love of the French for coffee, which has a very strong aroma and taste of mocha, and is served in a small glass or cup with the addition of condensed milk. Vietnam has good beer: in bottles, cans, draft beer, excellent cocktails - fruit and alcoholic, freshly squeezed juices, good Vietnamese vodka.
Recommendations:
- It is not recommended to drink tap water, but you can wash your face and brush your teeth with it. Iced drinks can be safely ordered in large cities and hotels in Saigon, Hanoi, Nyachang, Da Nang, and you should not do this in the countryside.
- you can not eat dishes from river fish
- the necessary medical care can be obtained in hospitals in large and small cities. Hotels usually have a medical office where you can get first aid. Pharmacies sell medicines from all the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. A variety of insect repellants are sold in pharmacies, but there are no insects that are harmful to health in resort areas. You need to stock up on sunscreen - medical care for foreigners is paid
- it is better to leave valuables and documents in hotel safes
- we recommend wearing warm clothes in December and January in the northern provinces
- when visiting temples, tourists are advised to wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts
