Vietnam is a beautiful country, I just have to get straight out of the way as I am a Ha Noicitizen myself. But even I have to complain about it sometimes. Not everything in Vietnam I can recommend for my friends across the world. I want to people to come to Vietnam and want to return again. I want their visit to Vietnam to be filled with nothing but positive experience so that they would not have nothing but good to tell about when they return home. That is why I am writing this article, not because I want to trash on my homeland, but because I want tourist to come there, avoid anything that might make their trip unpleasant and get the best possible experience during their visits.
Taking a taxi
Taking taxi – Not always as good as you think
Upon arriving at the airport, some might, without hesitation, call for a taxi to get to the city central. This is a mistake in everywhere you go. Especially in Vietnam. In fact, taking a taxi in any way in Vietnam is something that I cannot recommend, as there are far better and cheaper ways to get around. In major cities, there are always bus routes that can take you to every attractions that you can find. Not only that, many taxis in Vietnam are rigged, as you will be forced to pay more than you should. Another way of traveling in an area is by renting a motorcycle which can easily be accessed by talking to your hotel front desk. The cost should not be too much, and it is remarkably cheaper if you are planning to not stay in one spot during your visit.
Paying full price
Always bargain before paying
Now if you go into a supermarket or a store that looks kind of decent, it is kind of non-negotiable. If something does come with full price, just pay it. However, you are going to want to try out some street vendors. They have some really decent goods with probably cheaper price. I said “probably” because sometimes, some of these street vendors might try to oversell. And if you pay full price straight away then, my friends, you have been ripped off. Not only foreigners but locals can be oversold to as well.
So now that you know the trick, here comes the secret. If it does not carry a price tag, it probably cost less. Just bargain like you would in your homeland. In Vietnam, some vendors might want to sell you for double, or even triple the actual value. So for example, you want to buy a scarf, and the seller will yell “80.000”. So now you know that the scarf does not cost 80.000VND. Right now tell yourself that the actual value is only a third of that, so tell them “30.000” then “40.000”… If the seller does not settle for 50.000, please walk away and look somewhere else.
Never underestimate the power of walking away. You might get the scarf for 40.000VND if you just turn away.
Overlooking young people
Vietnamese students are more helpful than you think
I am talking about high school and university students. If you want to ask for help, these guys are the ones you should look for first. Believe me when I say that the kids are geniuses, at least they are a lot more knowledgeable that adults. Most students in Vietnam are capable of speaking English fluently, at least enough to understand and give directions. They are the ones who actually knows the area and can even accompany you for some parts of your journey. They would not ask for anything in return because the feeling of being helpful and the sense of adventure is more than enough to make their day. If you come across one or two really smart kids, do not be afraid to ask for their contact details, befriend them, as they can be very helpful during your time in our country.
Staying in town central
A typical hotel in the Old Quarter of Ha Noi. Think twice before checking in
This might be very common among non-seasoned travelers. Granted that they are somewhat more convenient and provide more services. However, you can reduce your expenses for accommodations and save money for other activities by staying in the residential areas. If you really want to save up, then it might be an option the spend some time searching for some one with a heart of goal and give you shelter for the night. You can even work for them in exchange for shelter and food. And if you have to stay in a hotel, just make your way a bit way from the center, maybe to the outskirts, and rent a hotel room there, the price is clearly less and you would still get the basics like a comfy bed, hot water, wifi and cable. Other services would still be available if you are willing to take a few steps around the place to search or by asking for direction.
Traveling during daytime
The night train, this will be your shelter for the night.
If you want to go from one city to another, you should do it at night, or early in the morning. And your time traveling should also be sleeping. Avoid traveling in the middle of the day as that should be the time for exploration. For example, if you want to go from Ha Noi to Sa Paby train, it should be a 8-hour ride. And to make the best out of your time, you should start going from Ha Noi at night. Take the night train, and you should arrive in Lao Cai in the morning. This means that you will not have to pay for accommodation as you will spend your night on the train. Although if you are not a seasoned traveler, I would advice you to get a comfortable seat or bed when you take the night train or bus, because you would want to be in the best shape the following day to really enjoy what is to come.
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