Regional Differences
Everyone knows about the Vietnam war and how the North won. Even though the South is communist, it still is a lot more Westernised and liberal than the North. Hanoi has a curfew for pubs, bars and nightclubs. The curfew is midnight unless a bribe is paid to the police. So don’t be surprised if you see police coming out of the back of a truck if you’re in a nightclub after midnight.
Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) tends to attract more tourists because it doesn’t have curfews and the people in the South tend to speak better English and are more open to foreigners. However, having said that the North is still worth seeing, especially Sapa.
Cheap street food:
Most Vietnamese people eat street food. Just make sure you go to a place which is busy because if heaps of Vietnamese people are eating there; you can be assured that it’s good quality and tasty food.
WARNING: Food hygiene standards aren’t the same so bring medicine for your stomach if you to happen to re-act badly to the food.
Cheap restaurants:
Try out some restaurants. Lonely Planet has great guides. Do be wary of restaurants near your hotel or in the backpacker district because prices tend to be higher. If you take a taxi just outside of the tourist areas… or even walk… then you will get a more authentic experience of Vietnam-and avoid being ripped off.
Taxis:
Taxis are the best way to get around in Vietnam. Forget about buses. Even though they are modern, they are often crowded and unreliable. Also Vietnam only has country trains so don’t think you can use a train to get around in the cities.
Taxis are cheap- the safest taxis are Malinh (green and white). I never had any trouble with them. If you are with a group of people perhaps you can travel in other brands of taxis. However, if you can’t speak Vietnamese or come across as tourists, be prepared for the possibility of being ripped off. If you see the meter going up quickly, tell them to stop and get out, take a picture of their number plate and ID and that’ll scare them and hopefully stop them ripping off other people.
Please make sure before you get into the taxi that it has a meter and that they turn the meter on. Usually if you have to negotiate, you are going to get ripped off. However, it is common to negotiate longer trips- 30 minutes or more (especially to and from the airport). It should not cost you anymore than 350 000 Vietnam Dong one way either to or from the airport.
Motorbikes:
You have two options with motorbikes. You can either rent your own motorbike or get on a motorbike taxi. Often people will ride past and say “moto”. These aren’t the good motorbike taxi’s in my opinion. You are better off going to someone who is waiting on a street corner and negotiate a price with them prior to you getting on the back of their bike. Make sure you have the exact money as some will just drive off without giving you change. Also, do not get on a motorbike taxi at night time or in the late afternoon, if you are concerned about safety- This is because you don’t know if the motorbike taxi person will notify his friends and get his friends to mug you… you also don’t know if the motorbike taxi driver has been drinking. It is common for people to drink and drive in Vietnam.
The other option of renting your own motorbike for the day or week can be cost effective depending on where you want to go and what you want to see. Just don’t drink and drive and make sure you lock your motorbike and remember where you parked it. When you park your rented motorbike they will give you a little ticket. DO NOT LOSE THE TICKET- otherwise you may not be able to leave the parking lot… Also just be careful with licencing and insurance. Many people rent out motorbikes without checking if you have a licence or not.
