Vietnam is an incredibly rewarding country to travel through, but a few smart decisions can make your trip much smoother and more budget-friendly. Based on our first-hand experience traveling across Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, here are some practical Vietnam travel tips that will help you avoid common mistakes and plan better—especially if you’re traveling from India.

How to Travel from Hanoi Airport to City Center

Instead of booking a taxi from Hanoi Airport, consider taking the airport bus to the city center. The buses are well maintained, have ample space for luggage, and are significantly cheaper. We were able to reach Hanoi city at almost half the cost compared to taxis, making this a great budget-friendly option for first-time travellers.

Best SIM Cards for Tourists in Vietnam

Pre-book a SIM Card for Convenience

We recommend pre-booking a SIM card from Klook. It cost us around ₹500, and the shop was open even at 4 AM, which was extremely helpful after an early-morning arrival.

Viettel vs Vinaphone

• Viettel is the best option if you’re staying in remote areas like Sapa, as it has stronger coverage.
• Vinaphone works very well in cities and popular tourist destinations.

One thing to note is that Viettel shops in Hanoi city offer relatively expensive plans. Local shops often have better deals. For convenience, we bought a Vinaphone SIM from our hotel for $10, which worked well for us.

Booking Activities & Tours in Vietnam

Klook turned out to be one of the best platforms for booking activities in Vietnam. We booked all our tours and experiences through Klook, and everything—from booking confirmations to on-ground execution—was smooth and hassle-free.

Currency Exchange Tips in Vietnam (Very Important)

Carry USD, Not Vietnamese Currency

If you’re traveling from India, do not convert money directly to Vietnamese Dong in India. The conversion rate is very poor.

Instead, carry USD. You can:

• Convert only a small amount at the airport (just enough to reach Hanoi city), or
• Exchange money after reaching the city.

Best Places to Exchange Money in Hanoi

Currency exchange shops in Hanoi city offer very good rates, sometimes even better than official conversion rates. Surprisingly, gold shops provide the best exchange rates, so they’re worth checking out.

Local Transport in Vietnam: Grab, Taxis & Buses

Using Grab for Daily Travel

Grab is the most convenient option for local transport in Vietnam.

• Grab Bike is ideal for solo travelers and helps save a lot of money.
• Grab Taxi is economical and works well for couples and families.

Sometimes, Grab shows a temporary surcharge, increasing fares to about 1.5 times the normal price. If you’re not in a hurry, wait a few minutes and try booking again—the prices often drop back to normal.

When Local Taxis Are Better

For fixed and time-bound day trips such as Da Nang to Hoi An or Da Nang to Ba Na Hills, it’s worth negotiating directly with local taxi drivers. In some cases, we found better deals than what Grab offered.

Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride: What You Should Know

In Hoi An, hotel staff may try to sell lantern boat ride tickets at a higher price. This isn’t necessary.

You can simply walk towards the river in the evening, where there are official counters selling tickets at standard prices.

If you want to buy a paper lantern, avoid purchasing it from the boat operators, as they sell them at around five times the actual price. Instead, buy from local vendors, especially elderly women selling lanterns at much more reasonable rates.

Public Transport in Ho Chi Minh City

Public buses in Ho Chi Minh City, especially within District 1, are a great alternative to Grab for short distances. The buses are:

• Well maintained
• Air-conditioned
• Very economical

You can easily check routes and timings using Google Maps, which works accurately. Due to heavy traffic, buses may experience a 4–5 minute delay, but this is common for taxis as well.

Immigration Experience & Airport Tips in Vietnam

The immigration process on arrival in Vietnam can be tiring. Hanoi was our port of entry, and the process took around 1.5 hours. There were no proper queues, and overall management felt inefficient.

We had read similar feedback about departures, but our experience while leaving Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City was smooth and fast. That said, it’s still recommended to reach the airport at least 3 hours before departure.

Credit Cards vs Cash in Vietnam

Try to avoid using credit cards at hotels, as most hotels charge an additional 2–4% fee on card payments. We encountered this surcharge at every hotel we stayed at during our trip, so carrying cash is a better option.

Hanoi Night Market: Best Time to Visit

The Hanoi Night Market was one of the best night markets we visited in Vietnam. However, it’s important to note that the market operates only on weekends.

If possible, plan your Hanoi stay so that it includes a Saturday or Sunday, as this is a must-visit experience.

Final Tip

Vietnam is easy to travel once you understand a few local nuances. With the right transport choices, smart currency exchange, and a bit of planning, you can enjoy a smooth and memorable trip across the country.