Guide to Backpacking Vietnam: Everything you need to know

Over the past few decades, Vietnam has turned into one of the world's greatest tourist destinations. Cheap cost of living mixed with beautiful landscapes and weather make it a perfect place for backpackers. If you are thinking of traveling to Vietnam, I could not recommend it enough as it has been one of the greatest places I've had the privilege of visiting. This travel manual has everything you'll need to be prepared for the unforgettable adventures waiting for you in Vietnam. Let's get started!

 

Cultural Standards to be aware of

Just like the other southeast Asian countries, there are cultural standards to be aware of. Because the country's most popular religion is Buddhism, you need to be aware of the etiquette that comes with visiting temples. Shoulders and knees must be covered and you cannot wear hats when inside of temples. Tank-tops and shorts are forbidden. You must also take off your shoes before entering temples and sometimes in other privately owned areas as well. No matter where you are, especially not in temples, you cannot point with your feet - a sign of disrespect. When in public, you should avoid showing affection to the opposite sex and dress relatively conservatively. When greeting someone, place your hands together and bow. The higher your hands are, the more respect you have for them, so you should have higher hand placement for the elderly and monks. Abide by these common practices, learn some of the basic language (hi, please, thank you, etc.), and you will fit right in.

When you should go to Vietnam

The best time to backpack Vietnam is from November to May when there is little rainfall. Because of the long length of the country, the climate differs depending on the time of year. The north is very humid and can get cool. The southern climate is much more dry and hot.

 

Travel Visa

One important thing to know before departing to Vietnam is that you need a travel visa to enter the country. Do not make the mistake of showing up without a travel visa or you'll get sent right back to where you came from. Depending on your nationality, you're typically allowed 30 days of entry. This amount of time will allow for an opportunity to see most of the country and get a good feel for Vietnamese culture, but realisticallly, you would need multiple 30 day trips to see everything. You can fill out an electronic visa online at the national website. It will cost $25 and will take between 3-4 days to process. Make sure you successfully fill out your visa application a week before you plan on entering the country just to be safe.

 

 

What to Pack

It’s extremely hot and humid in Vietnam, so you have to be prepared to change out of sweaty clothes often. Bring 1 sweatshirt, 1 rain jacket, 2 pairs of bathing suits, 4 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of sweatpants, 8 shirts, 8 pairs of underwear, and 5 pairs of socks. Laundry services are widespread and very cheap so you will have the ability to get your clothes cleaned for about $1 - $2 per kg of weight. A general rule of thumb, it is easy to reuse shorts, pants, and sweatshirts so you’ll want to pack less of those items. It is harder to reuse shirts, underwear, and socks, so you’ll want to pack more of those items.

The most efficient way to pack your clothes is by purchasing packing cubes, which are zippered containers that allow you to organize and separate your belongings. These travel assets allow for increased efficiency when looking for specific items and help to improve the organization and compacting ability within your travel bag. Another packing tip is to roll up your items within your packing cubes instead of folding them - this will create even more space to fit more belongings. Check out our high-quality packing cubes here: 6-Piece Travel Packing Cubes.

You should bring 2 pairs of shoes: 1 versatile and durable pair for everyday use and 1 heavy duty pair for hiking. Sandals, flip flops or crocs are an absolute must for your beach trips, everyday use, and the shower. You’ll need travel locks to secure your belongings: some small ones for your backpack zippers and a large one for a locker that you will be given at a majority of hostels. A compacting microfiber towel is another must, so that you can avoid renting towels and losing your money. A universal adaptor is extremely necessary to charge your electronics using foreign outlets. For easy transportation of toiletries to and from the bathroom, a toiletry bag is another great investment.

Vietnam's sun is very strong, with the UV index exceeding 10 on most days. If you plan on being in the sun during peak UV hours, it is necessary to pack sunscreen. Do not wait to purchase sunscreen in Vietnam because it is very expensive; buy some before you leave. In addition to the sun, you need to be prepared for mosquitoes. To avoid catching Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, and other deadly diseases, it is very important to pack enough Deet to last you the whole trip. Many travelers receive Encephalitis vaccination from healthcare professionals before departing (in addition to other shots) and are prescribed malaria preventative medication for their trip, but these measures are not necessarily vital. Sometimes insurance covers these costs, but if not, prices can be significant. Read into the CDC’s recommendations and decide if it is right for you.

Navigating Vietnam

When you need a quick lift from place to another, you have a couple different options. A popular option is by waving down a tuk-tuk and negotiating a price for a ride. A tuk-tuk is a golf cart-like vehicle. The price range depends on your ability to bargain and the distance you are going. These vehicles are everywhere, especially in the city, and the drivers are not afraid to heckle you to buy a ride. The better method of transportation is Grab: the Uber of Southeast Asia. These are unbelievably cheap and the cars are always super clean and air-conditioned. Just download the app and order your ride. You should definitely get a tuk-tuk ride at least once just to experience it, but Grab will save you much more money. Scooters are also very popular and easily accessible, but if you don’t have a lot of biking experience, I do not recommend this. The roads of Vietnam are nothing like you have ever experienced. Jam-packed roads, crazy drivers, and hardly anyone following traffic laws is a good recipe for disaster. Although renting scooters is cheaper than any other transportation method, it is better to play it safe unless you are a pro.

Long distance travel is also very easy. Booking online through 12goAsia is a reliable way to purchase longer transportation buses, trains, ferries, or a mix of them. Or you can go into a local transportation office and purchase your tickets through them, which will end up being cheaper than booking online. Many hostels also offer booking ability. Booking through hostels will sometimes be cheaper, sometimes not. Planes are another option. Although they are quicker and less of a hassle, they are more expensive and subject you to a much larger carbon footprint. If you plan on traveling a far distance, it might be better to travel by plane. Vietnam is a very long country and sometimes taking a plane will save you a lot of time. You only have 30 days to get in all you can and taking a bus can realistically take up a whole day. But, if you want to avoid planes and taking up whole days due to bus travel, take a sleeper bus or train through the night. You will not get the best night of sleep, but they are comfortable enough and can save you a lot of money and time.

Money

Vietnam is a very cheap country, even when you’re spending generously. Following the pandemic and worldwide inflation, the cost of traveling in Vietnam has slightly increased. One can expect to spend between $30 - $45 a day. Here is a list of the prices of common purchases:

Hostels $5 to $15

Meals $3 to $10

Street Food $0.25 to $3

330mL Beer $1 to $2

Excursions $25 to $65

Grab rides $2 to $8

Tuk-tuks $4 to $10

Scooters $5 to $10 / day

Long Buses $20 to $40

Temple Fees $1 to $10

Just like any country, there are ways you can save money. One great money saver is by buying alcohol at convenience stores rather than bars and clubs. Buy a case of beer to pregame and then get a couple drinks when you’re out. You’ll save a lot of money over time with this method. Eating street food over sit-down restaurants is another great way to budget. And of course, taking Grab’s over tuk-tuk rides. Although excursions are very expensive, they are an absolute must, as they allow you to see some of the most beautiful places you will ever experience. Pick and choose your excursions wisely; you don’t need to go on every single one.

Where to go in Vietnam

My favorite places (ranked in order):

Ha Giang Loop

Vung Tau

Da Nang

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Hoi An

Da Lat

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Hanoi

Can Tho

Ha Long

Vinh

 

Goodluck!

A backpacking adventure to Vietnam is the trip of a lifetime. You will get the opportunity to experience a completely new style of living, see some of the most beautiful places on Earth, and meet some amazing people along the way. After reading this, you should hopefully be much better prepared to take on this amazing country. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out and leave a comment. Safe Travels!