I have loved Vietnam while travelling with a camera.  And what made it?  The Vietnamese people did.  They are interested in speaking to you, helping you or just smiling if they can’t speak English.  The children love to approach you to try out their English, have a chat to them and it made their day as much as mine.  Also, they are so pleased when you speak a few words of their local language, it goes a long way.

Out on the street, people loved having their picture taken, take the time to show them their shot in the camera and they were delighted.  All of the hotel staff and guides I came in contact with, can’t do enough to make sure you enjoy your visit and take an interest in what life is like for you.

Thank you Vietnam, memories I will treasure for ever.

I have picked up travel tips along the way and wanted to share them with you.

• Carry a copy of your passport & visa with you – Vietnamese law requires everyone to carry photographic ID at all times. I take a screen shot on my iPhone of the ID page and visa.
• Take a mobile device screen shot of your hotel address and your destinations in Vietnamese to show taxi drivers – many can’t speak English.
• The currency is very easily confused as there are so many zeros involved.  Use a current converter app which you can also use offline.  I use xe.com.
• Do not take US$ travellers cheques, you cannot cash them.
• I took American Express GBP travellers cheques to Vietnam.  Vietcom Bank have Amex as a preferred partner, however it still took 1.5 hours to cash £200 worth!  I’m not sure if this was usual or a one off.  Check how long it will take to start with.  Easiest way to get cash is to use the ATM.
• Use night buses and trains if you are on limited budget or time – saves on a nights accommodation.
• Traffic is very chaotic here.  If you are a panicky passenger, sit in the back.  Sitting in the front is not for the faint hearted!
• Take reusable cable ties – great for lots of things, but my main use was hanging washing up to dry.
• Write a diary of your travels, you will forgot some things.  Also great if you are doing a blog to review and remind yours what you were up to and those priceless moments! 🙂
• Use an off line map to navigate and plan routes to save spending on data.  I use MAPS.ME.
• Investigate the price of a private car with driver for long journeys – they are really cheap.  Agree the price first.
• Make sure you check out the country emergency numbers and carry them with you.  113 Police 114 Fire 115 Ambulance.
• If you have any IT gear, carry a ‘dry bag’ with you.  It is something I had forgotten to put into my camera bag article too.  Great for making sure you don’t get any water damage to your belongings.
• Do not buy train tickets on line – go to the station and they are at least half the online price.  Take your passport and dong or US$, they do not take cards.
• I used FUTA buses in Vietnam which were very good.  Sometimes you can book on line, other times, you need to go to the bus station or outlet.  If you are on a sleeper, keep in mind your hand luggage goes on the bed seat with you.  If you pick a top bunk, it is not a 2 story bus and you need to be agile enough to get up there!
• Carry a padlock with a cable, great if you are travelling alone on the train for example and need to leave your luggage for a short while.
• For the ladies – carry enough stock of feminine care items, certain types cannot be purchased here.
• Crossing the road is an art which takes a while to perfect.  Follow a local to start with, they will just walk out into the traffic.  Wait for 4 wheel vehicles to pass, then walk steadily across the road.  Don’t speed up, slow down or stop so your movement can be predicted by the bikes and they will circumnavigate you – honestly!
• In Ho Chi Minh city there are many taxi companies, however, I was advised to only use Vinasun or Mai Linh as the others inflate their prices for tourists.  Take care, some word the companies very similar to the above names too.
• I haven’t come across this personally, but was advised to take care in Ho Chi Minh with camera / bags / mobiles phones being grabbed from you by passing scooters.  Better to be forewarned and alert.
• Use taxis to get around the cities.  It can be very hot and humid, include the vehicle fumes and for minimal cost (from 50p to a few £s), you can get to most places.
• And finally, learn a few local words, it is really appreciated.  Here are a few words to start you off, pop them into google and you can hear how they are pronounced.
  hello – xin chao (sin chow)
  thank you – cảm ơn (come on)
  goodbye – tạm biệt (tam be et)

Check out my Annie Wilcox Photography, travelling with a camera travel tips page too for other ideas.  Please do share any tips you have so we can all learn from each other.

Catch up here on my previous blog on street photography in Vietnam if you missed it first time around.

Next stop traveling with a camera, Cambodia…