Vietnam Travel Tips: The Practical Questions, Answered
Water, toilets, time zone, SIM cards, money, shopping and packing — the questions travellers ask once they land.
Published Oct 2026 • Updated Oct 2026 • By the Vietnam Private Tours planning team, reviewed by Van Anh (Founder & Chief Executive Officer)
Quick answer
Don't drink the tap water — bottled and filtered water is cheap and everywhere. Flush toilet paper in hotels and modern buildings, but use the bin where one is provided. Vietnam is on UTC+7 all year. Buy a SIM or eSIM at the airport with your passport. Carry cash for street food and markets, cards for hotels. Pack light clothes, a rain jacket, and a warm layer for the north from December to February.
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| Time zone | UTC+7 all year (no daylight saving) |
|---|---|
| Currency | Vietnamese dong (VND). Cash for street food, markets and taxis; cards in hotels and larger restaurants |
| Tap water | Not drinkable. Use bottled or filtered water |
| Power | 220 V, 50 Hz; sockets mostly take type A and C plugs |
| Mobile networks | Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone. Tourist SIMs and eSIMs at the main airports; passport needed |
| Ride-hailing | Grab and local apps for cars and motorbike taxis in all main cities |
| Emergency numbers | Police 113, fire 114, ambulance 115 |
| Language | Vietnamese. English is widely spoken in hotels and tourist areas, less in the countryside |
Water, food and staying well
- Drink bottled or filtered water; keep a refillable bottle and use hotel refill stations.
- Street food is one of the joys of Vietnam. Choose busy stalls where food is cooked to order — or start with a Hanoi street food tour.
- Bring rehydration salts and your usual stomach remedies; pharmacies in cities are well stocked.
- Use insect repellent at dawn and dusk, especially in the rainy season.
Money and payments
Vietnamese notes run from VND 1,000 to 500,000, and several look alike: keep large and small notes in different pockets. QR-code payments are now common, but most visitors cannot use local banking apps, so plan on cash for small purchases. Tips are not included in most private tour prices; see our tipping guide for amounts.
What to pack for Vietnam
| When and where | What to bring |
|---|---|
| All year, everywhere | Light breathable clothes, walking shoes and sandals, sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a light rain jacket, a universal adapter |
| Temples and pagodas | Something to cover shoulders and knees (a scarf and long trousers or a skirt) |
| Hanoi, Halong Bay and Ninh Binh, December–February | A sweater or light down jacket — evenings are often 12–18°C |
| Sapa and Ha Giang, December–February | A warm jacket, hat and layers; nights can approach freezing |
| Central coast, September–December | A proper rain jacket and quick-dry shoes |
| Trekking in Sapa or Ha Giang | Shoes with good grip; paths are muddy after rain |
What to buy in Vietnam
- Coffee: robusta beans from the Central Highlands, and a phin filter to brew it.
- Tailoring in Hoi An: suits, dresses and shoes made in one to three days. Allow time for a second fitting.
- Crafts: silk, lacquerware, embroidery, and Bat Trang ceramics from the village near Hanoi.
- Food gifts: Phu Quoc pepper, dried fruit and tea. Check your home country's rules before bringing food back.
- Textiles from the north: indigo and embroidered work bought directly from Hmong and Dao cooperatives in Sapa and Ha Giang.
From our guides: small things that make a big difference
- Download Grab before you land and add a card; it solves most transport questions in the cities.
- Learn two words: xin chào (hello) and cảm ơn (thank you). They get a smile everywhere.
- Take shoes off when entering someone's home and some temples; follow what locals do at the door.
- Plan around Tet. During the Lunar New Year (late January or February) many shops and restaurants close for several days and transport is booked out. It is a wonderful time to see family traditions, but it needs planning.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drink tap water in Vietnam?
No. Drink bottled or filtered water, which is cheap and everywhere; most hotels provide free bottles or refill stations. Brushing your teeth with tap water is fine for most people. Ice in cafés and restaurants in cities is normally factory-made from purified water and is generally safe.
Can you flush toilet paper in Vietnam?
In hotels, malls, airports and modern restaurants, yes. In older buildings, homestays and rural areas, the pipes are narrow, so put paper in the bin next to the toilet if there is one — that bin is the sign. Most toilets also have a hand-held bidet spray. Carry a small pack of tissues, as public toilets do not always have paper.
What time zone is Vietnam in?
Vietnam is on Indochina Time, UTC+7, all year round — there is no daylight saving. That is 12 hours ahead of New York in winter (11 hours in summer), 7 hours ahead of London in winter (6 in summer), and 3–4 hours behind Sydney depending on the season.
How do I get a Vietnamese phone number or SIM card?
Buy a tourist SIM or eSIM at the arrivals hall of Hanoi, Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City airport from Viettel, Vinaphone or Mobifone; you need your passport to register it. A data package for a two-week trip costs only a few US dollars. An eSIM bought online before you leave also works if your phone supports it.
What should I buy in Vietnam?
Vietnamese coffee and a phin filter, tailored clothes and shoes in Hoi An, silk, lacquerware, Bat Trang ceramics, conical hats, Phu Quoc pepper, and handicrafts from ethnic minority cooperatives in Sapa and Ha Giang. Buy from shops with fixed prices or agree a price before you pay at markets.
What should I pack for Vietnam?
Light, breathable clothes, a light rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes and sandals, sun protection and insect repellent. Bring clothes that cover your shoulders and knees for temples and pagodas. From December to February, pack a warm layer for Hanoi and a proper jacket for Sapa, Ha Giang or a Halong Bay cruise, where it can be cold. Vietnam uses 220 V power with mostly two-pin sockets that take type A and C plugs.
Should I use cash or card in Vietnam?
Both. Hotels, larger restaurants and shops take cards, and QR payments are everywhere, but street food, markets, taxis and small shops are cash-only. ATMs are easy to find in cities; withdraw larger amounts to limit fees, and carry small notes (VND 10,000–100,000).
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