Worst things about Traveling Vietnam
Haggling, hustle, bustle and beautiful people await you

Like any new country, Vietnam holds secrets and unknowns which tourists are not always aware of. From unique immense temples to hustle and bustle of cities and towns; it is a country with tradition and culture at its heart.

Vietnam is a country of diverse people, countryside and undiscovered adventures.

Vietnam is also one of the poorest countries in South East Asia, although it has since grown from the average household income earning as little as $100 per year to $1000 per year.

Vietnam is a country who believes people are fair, equal and independent and with tradition close to its heart you will always feel welcomed and embraced by its people.

When visiting any new country there are certain things you should be aware of, every country offers challenges and places you simply would not want to visit or discover. A tour operator will be able to advise you on the best and worst places to visit within their country.

To start you on your exciting journey and to ensure you are aware of the good and bad of what Vietnam has to offer we have compiled a list of the best things about visiting Vietnam.

Watch out for Scams
If a deal is too good to be true then it probably is. This, of course, is the case in any country or city you visit.

Vietnam has its fair share of people looking to take advantage of tourists; from unlicensed taxi drivers to pickpockets and bag snatching.

As long as you take all the necessary precautions there is no reason you will become a victim.

Always ensure your bags are zipped closed and if possible carried where you can see the opening, never use unlicensed drivers. Licensed taxi drivers are easy to spot and will have monitored meters in their cars.

Tourist attraction scams are prevalent, always use the skills and knowledge of your tour operator to book the many wonderful adventures you can experience in Vietnam.

Be prepared to haggle
Some people love to haggle whilst others will hate the experience. Many people are not actually used to haggling and will, therefore, find it a new experience.

Haggling in markets and shops is fairly common within Vietnam. Walk through one of the many vibrant night markets and you will be greeted with the shouts and calls of the locals haggling with the market traders.

Haggling is necessary and as a tourist, you will unfortunately already be susceptible to being overcharged for certain items.

If you are unsure of the etiquette in the location you are visiting, take advice from your tour operator. Your Vietnam tour operator will be more than happy to ensure you are not being taken advantage of and will know the true value of what you want to purchase too.

In a country where food is so much cheaper than the rest of the world, you will inevitably be tempted to pay the higher prices but we all love a good bargain.

Haggling gives you chance to live like a true local too.

Strong Coffee
Although not being able to order a Cappuccino is a deal breaker to visiting a country, if you are someone who needs their caffeine fix, coffee will undoubtedly be important to you.

The Vietnamese love their coffee. Coffee shops adorn most street corners and there are some weird and wonderful ways in which you can enjoy your caffeinated tipple. Any Vietnam travel guide will advise you to try a Vietnamese coffee at least once.

Although be warned Vietnamese coffee is dark, strong and very different in taste to what you will be used to buying and sip on in the UK or other countries.

Due to the type of coffee beans Vietnam grows, the caffeine is extremely strong and you will rarely be able to buy decaffeinated.

Ask for a milky coffee and you will be served coffee with a generous lashing of condensed milk.

If you are looking for a Latte or Cappuccino you will need to wait until you find a chain coffee shop in a larger city or better still sip strong coffee with the locals and wait until you get home! Read more: Coffee in Hanoi, Coffee in Ho Chi Minh City

Mind the Traffic
Motorbikes literally flood the streets of small towns and cities, with many people carrying large and unusual packages on their bikes too.

Walking around can be dangerous as people zip in and out of small roads and pavements. Attempting to cross the road in a city can be a case of stepping out and waiting for people to manoeuvre around you.

Many tourists struggle with the concept initially and it can make for walking around cities frustrating and stressful.

However, persevere with confidence and you will soon get the hang of walking through a sea of motorbikes.

Keep an eye out for what unusual package you can see someone carrying on their motorbike. Read more: Vietnam traffic

The Food
Although the food is classed as one of the best things about Vietnam, Vietnamese food can also be classed as the worst thing about Vietnam too.

If you are someone used to chunky chips, hearty beef stews or bacon sandwiches for breakfast, you will find eating out in Vietnam, well different.

Food is fresh, traditional and typically ordered and eaten from street vendors.

The Vietnamese diet is predominantly made up of rice and noodles, with variations of other ingredients included. Noodle dishes will include beef, chicken, and pork and can vary from North to South Vietnam.

Most locals will eat from street vendors, often sitting down wherever they can along the street and tucking into their freshly made cuisine.

Be prepared to share your space with lots of other people, the Vietnamese are happy to eat in most public places, take any bus journey and you could be surrounded by locals digging into smelly fish or eggs.

Food in Vietnam can be amazing, but be prepared to experience different tastes and accept that buying food from a street vendor is the norm in Vietnam.

Being prepared for the worst parts a country has to offer will enhance your overall experience of the country and your visit; you can take precautions and be safe in the knowledge you know what to expect.

Using a Vietnam travel tour operator like Vivutravel will give you peace of mind and reassurance that your adventure will be memorable for all of the right reasons.

What are you waiting for?