THE NORTH

What is that makes the word ‘North’ synonymous with ‘cold’ in the minds of almost every Vietnamese? First of all, Northern Vietnam enjoys a much diverse climate than other regions, with four seasons throughout the year.

These seasons include spring (March to April), summer (June and July), fall (August to November), and winter (December to February). The most distinct feature of the Northern Vietnamese climate has to be its extremely cold winters, with temperatures dropping down to below 10 degrees (all temperature measurements are in Celsius). 

To ease in and out of the extremity of winter, fall and spring delivers more pleasant temperatures, often staying on the cool side, but not necessarily cold. It is important to note that while these two seasons share the same temperatures, fall tends to be a lot drier than spring.

Meanwhile, summer is the complete contrast of the three seasons above. On an average summer day in Hanoi, it can easily get as hot as 35 degrees, with relatively high humidity to complement the heat. Thus, one would be best advised to visit the north on a warm delightful day in spring.

THE CENTRAL 

As we go from northern to central, the seasons start to get muddled up with each other. From November to April, the weather is much like that of the fall in Northern Vietnam: cool, dry and mild. However, temperatures start to climb quickly as we enter the remaining months of the year, with the period from June to August being the hottest.

Da Nang City is a prime example of Central Vietnam’s climate, with temperatures going over 35 degrees on peak days and averaging at about 33 – 35 degrees from June to August. Meanwhile, the monsoon season from September to March can massively cool down the atmosphere (to as low as 18 degrees from November to January). 

Hoi An, on the other hand, is usually a notch cooler, yet still warm year-round. With temperatures rarely going above the 30-degree ceiling, its weather is split into two definite seasons: a monsoon season from September to January and a dry season in the remaining months.

THE SOUTH

Much like Hoi An, most cities in the south adhere to the two-season rule: a wet monsoon season from May to October, and a dry season from November to April. Unlike other regions, however, Southern Vietnam is always hot.

Needless to say, Ho Chi Minh City is the best representative of the steaming southern climate. Almost all year round, you can rarely find a day where the temperature would drop below 25 degrees, with humidity levels averaging at 75%. 

Monsoon season in the south offers a slight cool-down with downpours of up to 300 millimeters of rain. Nevertheless, it is still possible to find intermittent periods of sunshine to bask in, but just remember to take your umbrella!

All in all, it seems that the best time to visit Southern Vietnam would be from December to February. Not only is the weather drier and more pleasant, but there’s also a series of festivals and activities taking place all over the region to celebrate Tet – the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. 

The post Rain or Shine: A weather guide in Vietnam appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Situated in South East Asia, Vietnam has a wildly diverse landscape making it one of the most photogenic destinations in the world. There are beaches, beautiful islands, caves, lush rice fields, hiking trails which are all part of the different facets of the country. You’ll discover a fascinating mix of cultures, history and an abundance of delicious food! The rich culture and picturesque views aren’t the only things that will leave a lasting impression. It’s the Vietnamese people you’ll meet along the way. Most of us desire a deeper connection to the places we travel, but there is a no better way to do so than with the help from the Vietnamese locals.
Befriending a local can really enrich your experience, especially when traveling solo. Local insiders can be an invaluable source of information as they can give you tips to help you uncover the country’s hidden gems and culture. They are, in a nutshell, the best tour guide you could ever ask for.

Vietnamese people

Like most Southeast Asian countries, the Vietnamese are known for their unwavering smiles and natural curiosity towards foreign visitors. They’re easy going, curious and genuinely one of the friendliest nations in the world. Meeting local people in Vietnam is fairly easy, despite their shyness. The language barrier might be an issue if they don’t speak English but most people are curious and happy to meet and chat with someone different. You can also practice your Vietnamese!

Ever wondered what it’d be like to eat, shop and relax like the locals? Here are Tips on how to mingle with local people!

Beer clubs

The cheap beer scene attracts both tourists and locals. It’s not just the backpackers that love cheap beer, the locals cannot resist a bargain, too.
All you need to do is go to Beer Street in the Old Quarter of Hanoi and look for an open bar that has plastic chairs outside. You’ll find yourself with young locals and other travelers drinking cheap beer and chatting the night away.

Where to go
Ho Chi Minh: Bui Vien Street
Hanoi: Ta Hien Street

Coffee shops

One of the ‘must things’ to do in Vietnam is trying Vietnamese coffee. The coffee culture is part of daily life, so don’t be surprised to find many locals gathering outside a cafe sipping leisurely. It’s also a great excuse to try Vietnam’s finest coffee beans and spontaneously mingling with coffee lovers.

Lakes and parks

It’s not uncommon to encounter many students who will want to practice their English with you, especially when you’re taking a stroll in the parks such as Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem lake or Tao Đàn Park in Ho Chi Minh. These calm and relaxing places are ideal to initiate a friendly chat and there the people can give you different insights.

Homestays

If you’re really looking to interact with locals and have a culturally-immersive experience, then choosing a Home-stay over a hotel is the way to go. Given Vietnam’s cultural diversity and beautiful landmarks, the mountainous areas such as Sapa and Quang Nam’s make ideal locations for the homestay experience. Sapa is popular for its vividly green scenery and for playing host to a great diversity of highland ethnic minorities. Enjoying local life and culture in the comforts of an authentic homestay amidst lush rice fields such as Sapa can be a truly memorable experience.

For more of a city experience, places such as Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh can give you an insight into local life in a bustling metropolis.

Home Stay brings travelers a culturally immersive travel experience at budget prices and gives hosts the chance to boost their income while making lasting friendships.

Backpacker areas

Where there is a backpackers scene, locals will be there, too. It’s not just the cheap beer that brings people together. The backpacking area is lively and fun. From party hostels to Beer streets in Hanoi’s Old quarter to the endless bars in Bui Vien Street in Ho Chi Minh. There will always be somewhere to meet locals who’d want to meet fresh faces.

Find a local guide

One quick way to get to know a country is by simply hiring a local guide. We don’t like the usual tourist style itineraries that take you to the overcrowded places. You’d want a genuine person to take you off the beaten track and experience what they see. Your local guide can take you to places other travelers might not have the chance to visit. Most guides will charge and some will be free. Non Profit organizations that run across the country – mostly in cities provide free student tours and walking tours. What a great way for them to practice their English with you and for you to learn about their Vietnamese culture.

Websites such as Inspitrip, and Free Tour Vietnam are where you’ll the most enthusiastic locals wanting to take you around.

Forums

Keen locals ready to interact with foreigners can be found in forums such as Facebook Groups, Expat and Language exchange sites. There are many message boards where locals want to learn languages (mostly English). Attend these events, or find a language exchange partner.
You might even find someone who can take you to local events, dinner, or drinking with their buddies. So if you do there, you’re likely to make some local friends. Who knows, the first meet up can lead to long-lasting friendships!

Websites such as www.expat.com and expatexchange.com are good places to find a language exchange partner.

Volunteer

One of the benefits of volunteering in Vietnam is that volunteers can work with friendly communities. Volunteering opportunities include education, teaching English, animal aid and orphanages, and much more.
The impact on the local communities can be unforgettable and a truly rewarding experience! While volunteering you’ll get to work with locals and other like-minded people.

You can easily find a volunteering role at these sites such as freevolunteering.net and oneworld 365

We sincerely hope this has given you ideas on how to connect with locals and have meaningful travel experiences. Hopefully, you desire to get more out of your travels than just ticking off your travel list! For every photo you take will tell a story of all the memorable connections you’ll have made in Vietnam, including the people you will meet along the way. So, will you decide to meet locals on your next trip for a better cultural experience?

The post 8 Ways to Mingle with the Locals in Vietnam appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Vietnam is not only known for its beautiful landscape but also the warm hospitality from the locals who take dedicated interest and care towards their guests. Some scam artists and malicious activities blend into the welcoming atmosphere; although it is important to relax and enjoy the vibrant culture Vietnam has to offer, it is also very crucial to stay cautious and avoid troubling signs of a scam coming your way. Although there is nothing too worrisome to be concerned of, you should keep these tips in mind in order to be always a step ahead of scammers.

The shady taxi ride

This notorious scam is common all across popular travel destinations and you can avoid this in Vietnam easily with some simple steps. The keyword here is the ‘meter’- you should always check if a taxi has one or the driver has turned it on properly before getting into the vehicle. Remember that it is often harder to negotiate or withdraw the price if your journey has already started or almost ended. If you, unfortunately, have already gone into one of these scam taxis and hence presented a ridiculously expensive bill, simply refuse to pay, take photos of the car’s license plate and the driver’s plate in order to report to authorities.

As importantly, make yourself aware of official taxi companies before visiting, for example, Vinasun Taxi or Mai Linh Corp which are the two main taxi companies everywhere in Vietnam. Independent drivers or dubious companies can pretend to be legitimate taxis and charge you overwhelmingly. These people can often be encountered at airports or stations; they will try to ask if you need transport and try taking you to a separate parking space. When this happens, simply ignore the pushiness and come to the airport’s official taxi queue where an operator from legitimate taxi companies will ask where you are headed and assign you a vehicle with a proper meter system.

To be extra safe, you can negotiate with the taxi driver before starting your journey on an approximate price- keeping in mind that there is usually an extra exit fee from airports of around 10,000 VND. Moreover, even if a taxi has a working meter, it is very common for drivers especially in Hanoi to drive through further paths instead of the most convenient one to your destination in order to increase the meter price. When you are a tourist, it is usual to be clueless about the city map and directions, therefore it would be very useful if you have 3G wifi connection in order to keep track of your ongoing journey via Google Maps. This way, you would be able to see if the driver is going the further way and question them about it.

Finally, you can use the Grab application which is like Asia’s Uber- the fares are often cheaper than traditional taxi prices and you won’t have to worry about negotiating prices and stressing out about the driver’s integrity as the fare is precalculated. Motorcycle/Scooter taxi is also available via Grab Bike, which would be a very interesting experience for foreigners and a must do in Vietnam.

The fake businesses and uncertain prices

This applies to most aspects of tourism- whether it could be a hotel, restaurant, travel agency or other shops. Whenever a brand becomes extremely popular and successful, many duplicates will start popping up around the city and soon enough it becomes increasingly difficult to know which is the original. Many have fallen for this scam, as the copycat versions would imitate the original brand’s name, logo, shop appearance, fonts, etc.

To avoid losing more money than intended or be met with low-quality service, make sure to do extensive research on the location and its correct address before you go anywhere. You can easily search up desired locations via Trip Advisor or Foody.vn; the reviews and photos posted by fellow travelers will tell the whole story. Remember that the fakes possess only subtle differences in appearance to the real one so research is crucial.

A common example would be fake hotels or motels. Therefore, it is important to confirm the correct address of your accommodation to the taxi driver rather than just a name, as they can take you to a similar location or claim the place you planned was closed down – you are scammed and they receive their commission. With many businesses, especially ones without proper menus and price lists, make sure you properly confirm final prices and bills before taking up a hotel room or having your meal- you would be surprised at how often prices can magically increase and even double or triple when you have not confirmed them in the first place. Your best bet would be to book and pay full price upon your arrival to ensure the least amount of stress and risks as possible.

Where’s your bike?

Usually encountered in Nha Trang and Mui Ne, the motorbike scam is an unfortunate one to fall victim of as experiencing Vietnam by bike is certainly a joy not to be missed. Usually, all would appear well at first, before the rental company owner ‘robs’ back your bike and demand you to pay a whopping fee for the ‘lost’ vehicle. Another direction to this scam is that the owner will give you a bike rigged with mechanical problems which you will have to pay for upon the return date. Even worse, it could even contain ‘made up’ issues from which a payment will be demanded.

To be as safe as possible, make sure a thorough testing of your bike is carried out right after renting it. In addition, an investment in your own bike lock would be worth it, in case no one other than its own owner wants to ‘steal’ it back. The lock would also be useful if you plan to park your bike outside of houses or shops since thieves are known to steal bikes or their components when you’re least cautious, even during midday. Ensure that you do careful research on the rental company and other people’s past experiences before renting and make sure you always have a Vietnamese driving permit in hand- if you get in trouble with authorities without it the bike can be confiscated up to a month and the costs could be high.

The snatch and flee

When you’re in the middle of a busy street or marketplace, your belongings could be gone in a matter of seconds without caution. Handbag thieves and pickpockets could be an issue when you’re exploring crowded touristy areas, therefore the way you keep your valuables and important documents is important to note. If your hotel room has a security safe, it is best to leave important documents such as your ID and passport in there and only carry copies around- we have learned this from the countless incidents when tourists lost everything when they store most of their lives in a single bag. It is also wise to store half of the cash you have or some emergency cash in the secured safe, in case of the worst case scenario.

Always close your bags and purses carefully and keep an eye on them whenever you’re walking through a busy area where a pickpocketer can slip in quicker than you can detect something went wrong. The snatching of bags and belongings can be dangerous physically as many tourists fall trying to protect their bag or simply because they were off guard. Therefore, be cautious of your surroundings and do not get distracted too often; you can even use a small lock on your backpack’s zippers or wear your handbag in front of your belly for safety. While sightseeing on foot around the city and taking photos is fun and interesting, it is also important to stay cautious and be safe than sorry.

Cash and currency scams

While it is acceptable to hand over large denominations, always be careful of the change you receive back from shops and restaurants. There are various incidents when tourists are given less change than they were supposed to get or the vendors claim that they don’t have enough change. Or worse, the seller can walk away with your money before you can say anything. Therefore, ensure you keep some smaller denominations in hand in case you buy a low-value item or simply get used to the Vietnamese dong currency and count your change carefully. Vendors can even go as far as to snatch the pile of cash you have in your hands, assuming that a foreigner is unaware of the local currency and swap out similar notes with fake or lesser value ones. (For example, a 20,000 VND and 500,000 VND note look quite similar as they are both blue)

When getting your prices or rates quoted, always remember to confirm the currency as some sellers or hotels are known to switch currencies which make the price increase substantially. For example, ‘5’ could either mean 5 USD which is roughly 116,000 VND or simply 5,000 VND which is only 20 cents in USD. Additionally, whenever you want to exchange currencies, make sure to research reputable locations and exchangers before you go as exchange rates can fluctuate and differ in various hotels and airports.

Bus and train tickets scam

While buses and trains are great and affordable options for long distance travel within Vietnam, it can be possible that you might experience ticket scamming.  Going on long-haul trips with questionable companies could have you kicked out of the bus unexpectedly at midnight and nowhere else to go, as various past incidents have shown. The bus driver can simply force you off the bus at a petrol station or rest stop and magically a hotel is nearby, ready to take in the confused passengers. You could also encounter fake train ticket websites in Vietnam, which can sell invalid tickets at higher prices than in reality.

In order to avoid unwanted scams, you can visit Vietnam railway’s official website which is a trustworthy train travel website, commonly used by travelers in order to gain useful information and reliable sources to plan your long distance trips. It is advised to avoid anyone that tries to approach you in front of train and bus stations, claiming that your bus has been canceled or delayed and offering you a different ticket.

Moreover, if anyone approaches you and offers a seat upgrade, simply ignore this common scam and check your ticket information carefully when buying from a verified source. Your safest bet would be to purchase tickets directly from your accommodation or reliable travel agents/websites. Moreover, if someone tries to offer help with carrying your luggage across the platform, kindly reject their advances as a certain fee or luggage swap could occur.

You can contact us for help via Email: mazevietnam.info@gmail.com or Facebook us here anytime for help while you are traveling in Vietnam!

The post Common Scams in Vietnam and How to Avoid appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Stay connected

Although travelling solo presents a  great opportunity for self-discovery through alone time, it is important to remain on the grid and stay in contact with your relatives or friends. In case you are involved in an accident or something unfortunate, it is useful if someone knows where you are and can assist authorities in helping you. As you are hundreds or thousands of miles away from home, staying connected with your loved ones is essential as locals might not be very fluent in English and therefore might not be able to comprehend your situation fully. Moreover, having an internet connection at all times can give you access to maps which will be very handy in a foreign place. Always remember to remind someone you know of your whereabouts or travel plans for the day.

It is best to prepare a SIM card before your journey starts. SIM cards are only usable in Vietnam if they have been properly registered. To make sure yours is from a reliable retailer, purchase it at one of the small kiosks at the airport upon your arrival. The only documents and details that will be required are your passport, ID number, name and date of birth. To make things even more convenient, you can ask to buy a card with 4G/LTE or unlimited data, which will easily allow smooth Skype or Whatsapp calls whenever wifi is unavailable. 

For one month of unlimited data, the price would approximately be 200,000 VND or USD$9 which is quite reasonable as 4G has much quicker speed than normal 3G. Tourist and other network packages are also available for purchase; the kiosk staff will gladly assist in taking out your old SIM and replacing it with a Vietnamese one. Also remember to purchase your data plan or SIM card from trustworthy and large coverage providers, such as Viettel, Vinaphone or Mobifone. You can buy a prepaid 4G Data card without calls and messages, too.

Information about Viettel’s tourist data packages is available here.

Cultural awareness

It has been observed that Vietnamese culture and social expectations have been loosening up increasingly over the years; however, a large part of society still remains quite conservative and traditional. A typical Vietnamese family prefers to act and dress modestly, therefore it is best not to show a large number of valuables or expensive jewelry in more rural areas where such a scene is not common. Moreover, you should also avoid displaying excessive wealth even in cities, as this can attract unwanted attention from thieves and discomfort from locals.  Therefore, avoid packing too many valuables and only replaceable essentials for the smoothest trip.

It is not mandatory and required to dress conservatively in Vietnam- in fact, many tourists and locals usually dress liberally to cope with the extreme heat and humidity. However, keep in mind that the way a woman dresses in Vietnam can potentially affect a man’s attitude, and there have been numerous incidents of ‘catcalling’ or women getting propositioned when dressing a bit revealing – wearing little clothing.

Therefore, you should pack some long sleeved or more conservative clothing just in case. To avoid serious crimes or sinister attention, beware of the destination you are headed to in relation to the way you dress. When going to rural or less populated areas, try to cover up more than usual and do not give attention back to strangers calling at you on the streets. Although violent crimes are rare in Vietnam, you should stick to well-known or crowded streets and avoid dark alleys or desolate roads at night time.

Means of protection

This is entirely optional, but you can equip yourself if desired with non-irritant dye spray or small tasers in case of an emergency, since you will not have a companion to provide extra protection or to alert others in an emergency as a solo traveler. Note that pepper sprays are illegal in Vietnam. As a woman travelling solo or unmarried, you might get some prying questions from men about why you are alone or if you already have a partner. Simply politely decline the curiosity and avoid sharing personal information with suspicious strangers or speaking to them for too long.

A good local tip, besides from doing careful research and being conscious of the neighborhoods you are going to is to quickly go to and knock on the nearest civilian house, restaurant or any open building if you feel like somebody is following you or in an unsafe situation. Wandering around on your own especially at night in rural areas is not recommended. It would also be useful to remember emergency contacts to call if you are in trouble, such as 113 which is the Vietnamese police’s numbers or your embassy’s phone numbers in case you need assistance.  

Making copies of your vital official documents or identification

This advice actually applies to all travellers, as keeping your personal possessions and documents are extremely crucial on any vacations to a far away destination. As a solo traveller, you need to be even more careful as you are solely responsible for keeping everything safe so they will not get lost or stolen. If your hotel or accommodation contains a security safe, it is your best bet to keep official documents such as passports and IDs in there, while only carrying copies of your personal documents around in case you lose your bag or purse.

Always ensure to pack paper and digital copies of your important documents such as passport, ID, international driving license, credit card information, etc. as this is extremely useful if your official versions got lost from theft or other reasons. Local authorities and your country embassy will need these documents to confirm your identity and help you renew the official documents that are lost.

Taking care of your personal belongings and valuables

If you are a backpacker staying in a shared room or hostel, a suitable option would be to buy a small padlock for your bag zippers or suitcase for added security. Theft can be a common occurrence on long-haul bus or train rides and even plane rides, therefore try to carefully lock your bags or keep them within sight at all times.

Avoid openly using your cellphones or other electronic devices in public or while sightseeing, as you can become a victim of ‘snatch and run’ thieves which can be common in popular tourist spots such as Ben Thanh Market or Pham Ngu Lao (backpacker district). Avoid pickpocketing by wearing your bag in front of your belly in crowded areas such as markets and do not wear them loosely as they can also get snatched. If you carry a camera, it is best to connect it to a string which goes around your neck for extra protection. Hide your most prized valuables within your bag and ensure to hold it carefully on motorbike rides as that is where you can be very vulnerable to snatch thieves.

In addition, if you are going to one of the beautiful beaches in Nha Trang, Da Nang, Mui Ne etc., do not leave your belongings on the sand unattended while you go swim in the ocean or elsewhere. Theft on belongings that are left in the open on the beach has been frequently reported so it is best to leave them at your accommodation if possible.

Tour scams

As with most things,  intensive research into the services and destinations you will be using and going to adds to the high chance of having a smooth and enjoyable trip. Vietnam is a relatively safe destination where tourists are warmly welcomed and where many locals are honest, however, some travelers have reported strong differences in a tour’s online itinerary and the actual activities.

Therefore, to avoid having to go on unsatisfactory or potentially dangerous tours with untrustworthy guides while unaccompanied by a fellow traveller, you should do research and prebook all tours you are planning to go on before arriving. Try to search the agency or tour company you are going on a trip with and read online reviews as well as photos from other travellers in order to confirm their reputation and quality.

You can book any trip to Vietnam with us by dropping us a message at mazevietnam.info@gmail.com or fb.com/mazevietnam. Check some popular tours here. Your safety is our first priority.

Have a happy and safe travel!

The post 6 Tips for Solo Female Travelers in Vietnam appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Be well-prepared before traveling

Here are the most important pieces of advice before you plan to visit Vietnam.

• Notify your doctor about traveling with your particular food allergy in Vietnam. Your doctor may give you some advice about the foods in the areas you are going to, and write you a letter explaining your conditions. You may use it later to show the flight agency, and restaurants’ staff.
• Don’t forget to buy a travel insurance that covers your food allergy.
• Always pack your medications. Extra Epi-pens are always needed!

Peanuts at 10,000 meters

Peanut allergy is one of the most severe food allergies, yet peanuts are always served as in-flight snacks. Many airlines no longer serve peanuts; however, it is still essential to notify the flight agents of your peanut allergies and request for peanut-free snacks instead. Even if you want to make sure all the peanut dust and particles are removed in your seat, just speak to a gate agent before your flight and ask to pre-board in order to cleanse immediate seating area.

Pack your snacks more than you need

It is important and easy to bring your own food just in case you there is a lack of restaurants that accommodate special diets and other hiccups.

Create a translated card

If you are not fluent in Vietnamese, you should create a translated card beforehand so that you can present at restaurants or food vendors. The card should cover the list of ingredients you need to avoid, together with a brief explanation of your allergy. Translated cards are useful to avoid cross-contact, too. Since we are fluent in both Vietnamese and English, please feel free to reach out for help with translation. Contact us on Facebook here.

Cook your Own Food

When all the snacks you pack run out, cooking your own food is another solution. If it is too difficult to find safe food at restaurants, you better cook your own food. Lots of marts or supermarkets are scattered in Vietnam, so it’s not hard to collect the food then cook on your own at the homestay, hotel or hostel. Just deal an access to their kitchens and there is no big deal!

Ask the Right Questions

When you go eating out with a severe food allergy, your question doesn’t end up with only “Does this food contain any peanuts, gluten, etc.?” Your questions should be very specific and detailed as much as possible. For instance, if you are allergic to peanuts, you have to ask such questions: “What kind of oil is used to fry this food?” or “Are you sure there is no peanut in my bowl?” Sometimes the oil that was used to cook something is peanut-based.

Stick with Western Restaurants

Vietnam is the biggest threat for travelers with food allergies, especially gluten and peanut allergies. The Vietnamese people have peanuts as snacks in all gatherings, put lots of peanuts onto the top of noodle dishes, have Banh My made of wheat every single morning, and some even have no idea what gluten is. Therefore, to stay and to feel safe at the highest level, you can stick with Western-style restaurants such as McDonald’s, KFC’s, Burger King’s, Starbuck’s, 4P Pizza, Mediterraneo, and lots of Argentinan and American steakhouses on the way that all have excellent services. They have staff that can speak English and they have comprehensive knowledge about the nature of food allergy’s threats.

Book a Tour

If you Google “The Best Countries in The World for Food”, Vietnam never fails to appear on the list. Vietnam’s cuisine is famous for its simplicity of fresh but great ingredients in every single dish that can capture the essence of  Vietnamese gastronomy. If you are interested in Vietnamese food adventure to have some good dishes in the food stalls on the sidewalks or taste some perfectly crafted dishes in century-old restaurants, but you are still afraid of your food allergy, booking a tour is the best solution now. The tour companies have staff who speak English fluently, and they fully understand the implications of traveling with food allergies. You can put trust in them in order to try the Vietnamese foods safely without any worries.

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We offer excellent tours in Vietnam, and keeping you healthy and safe is always our first priority. It is a must. You can check out our tours offered here.

Foods to Eat/Avoid

For Gluten-free Eaters:

What you can eat: Fish sauce, Banh Xeo – Vietnamese crepes, Banh Khot, Goi Cuon, Mi Quang, Mien, Goi Cuon, Pho, Bun, Banh Canh, Com Tam, Com Hen, Banh Trang, Banh Trang Nuong, and Banh Trang Cuon.

What you cannot eat: Nui, Mi – yellow noodles, Banh Mi, and Cha Ca La Vong.

For People allergic to peanuts:

What you cannot eat: Peanuts, My Quang, Bun Bo Nam Bo, etc. Peanuts are usually used as some garnish on top of foods and easy to detect. Oil peanuts are used here but not much. It’s best to carry a translated notes in all cases though.

For People allergic to soy:

What you cannot eat: Soya, Soybean (curd, granules), Soy sauce, Tofu, etc.

For Lactose-free Eaters:

What you cannot eat: Pastries, Cookies, Caramel, etc. Lactose-free eaters have not so many challenges while traveling in Vietnam since the signature local dishes here are naturally lactose-free already.

If you are a food expert who already has lots of experience in finding the good foods with cautious alerts of the food allergy, please feel free to share your advice or tips in the Comment! Or submit an article here. 

Find the Local Hospitals 

You should spend some time finding local hospitals in the destinations that you are going to visit in Vietnam, then note down all the hospitals’ address and telephone number, and keep them in your pocket. You could ask your travel insurance provider to recommend some hospitals on the way. Also, feel free to contact us for help with finding the closest hospitals nearby. We have personal assistants always willing to help you out 24/7, too.

Hopefully, you now learn that it is possible to travel well with food allergies! If you follow our tips and advice and speak to your tour operator and airline, we are sure that there would be no problem while you are traveling in Vietnam. Nothing can hold you back!

Contact us for instant help: mazevietnam.info@gmail.com or facebook.com/mazevietnam

Happy Travel!

The post 10 Tips for Traveling to Vietnam with Food Allergies appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Vietnam can easily be a substitute travel destination instead of Thailand if you aren’t another “sunny beach dweller”. Even though Vietnam rivals many other’s tourist attractions by some counts, there are a few things that may turn your trip into a nightmare if you are not completely prepared.

Here in this article, I shall personally give some tips that will definitely make your travel, communication easier and also give you an idea about the things you better avoid in order to turn your trip into the most rewarding exploration that any South East Asian country can offer.

Planning and arrival

The Vietnamese government has very strict VISA laws and regulations and these regulations are changed very often, way more than any other South East Asian country you can think of. So make sure you have all documents done good and proper before you even board the flight to Vietnam. Have your visa on arrival papers/approval papers printed and ready. Vietnamese immigration officers will send you back from the airport and you will miss your flight. With a little bit of patience for the process and respect for the personnel stamping your grant visa, you can begin your journey with peace.

­­Money

 Currency rate:  in Vietnam 1 USD= 22,780 VND (dong) so if you ever had the dream of becoming a millionaire someday this is your chance to have all that money in your pocket at once.

Money Exchange: Vietnamese retailers are not allowed to accept USD/Euro or any currency that’s not VND. So make sure you have enough local dongs with you before heading for the street markets. You may choose to exchange money at jewelry shops for a better rate than visa or master card exchange booths.

MONEY Withdrawals:

The regulation in Vietnam may limit you from wiredrawing more than 100 USD at once. But if you are a client of HSBC or CITIBANK you can collect from 250-400 USD depending on the bank.

NO tips:

One is not expected to give or receive tips in Vietnam.  Good for the travelers, right!!!

Transportation

Avoid taxis:

Beware of fraud taxi drivers in the city who will ask you to pay radically overcharged fares and even there have been reports of robbing tourists or leaving them stranded on a place where passengers ended up lost. I’d advise you to grab an UBER/GRAB instead. UBER/GRAB is very much cost and time efficient if you have access to the internet.

*UBER is currently no longer available in Southeast Asia, so you better use GRAB instead.

Avoid BUS:

You may be thinking that taking a local bus will be the best way to sightsee but unless it’s a coach it’s better to avoid buses. The Vietnamese Local bus journey is not safe or comfortable at all.

Avoid Trains:               

It’s a huge waste of time and energy to take the train cause they are too slow to effectively move around the cities.

Look for motorbikes:

You will find countless traditional motorbike taxis called “XE OM” in the streets. These bikers cater to lots of tourists and they know the city like the back of their hands. It’s the fastest and cheapest way to move around.

Best time to travel

Tet Holiday (End of January/ Beginning of February)30th April:

Tết ([tet˧˥] or [təːt˧˥]), or Vietnamese New Year, is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture. The word is a shortened form of Tết Nguyên Đán, which is Sino-Vietnamese for “Feast of the First Morning of the First Day”. Tết celebrates the arrival of spring based on the Vietnamese calendar, which usually has the date falling in January or February.

Vietnamese people usually return to their families during Tết. Some return to worship at the family altar or visit the graves of their ancestors in their homeland. They also clean the graves of their family as a sign of respect. Although Tết is a national holiday among all Vietnamese, each region and religion has its own customs.

Tết in the three Vietnamese regions can be divided into three periods, known as Tất Niên (penultimate New Year’s Eve), Giao Thừa (New Year’s Eve), and Tân Niên (the New Year), representing the preparation before Tết, the eve of Tết, and the days of and following Tết, respectively.

Reunification Day:

Reunification Day (Ngày Thống nhất), Victory Day (Ngày Chiến thắng) or Liberation Day (Ngày Giải phóng or Ngày Giải phóng miền Nam) or the official name of Day of liberating the South for national reunification (Giải phóng miền Nam, thống nhất đất nước) is a public holiday in Vietnam that marks the event when Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops captured Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) on April 30, 1975. This signaled the end of the Vietnam War.

The anniversary is marked by several festivals around the date.

In the Overseas Vietnamese community, the day is remembered as the “Fall of Saigon”, “Black April” (Tháng Tư Đen) National Day of Shame (Ngày Quốc Nhục) or National Day of Resentment (Ngày Quốc Hận). This is a commemorative day for exiled Vietnamese who served, were affected, and displaced in those overseas communities, and as such is a day of reflection. Many Americans of multiple ethnicities observe the day for remembrance and solidarity.

Rainy season:

Do not be afraid to get a bit soaked if you are planning to travel in the rainy season. In such economy and culture, nothing is stalled during the rain and locals will carry on with their day like no difference is made. So if you are going there for the first time packing some light summer garb is suggested.

Knowing about overrated and underrated spots:

Vietnam has now become such a hot travel destination that every traveler includes this country in the comparison list when planning their next trip. Obviously, there are many “must see” tourist spots. But the thing is that now a day’s adventure seekers are intending to rate, scored and shared everything in the social media they’ve experienced in the way of their trip.

Based on the ratings, I’ve found few destinations that are underrated but must deserve more reputation than these have and vice versa.

Overrated destination:  If you see the snaps of Phu Quoc, you’ll be amazed at the turquoise and crystal clear waters, stunning landscapes, and epic limestone crags. An island paradise!

But actually, Phu Quoc isn’t a piece of the pie anymore. While I travel in last year I have seen there are many high-rises, hotels and resorts are being constructed at a massive rate. I’m afraid this mismanagement might be the end of an island of paradise!

Even some of the expert travelers recently have been spoken about soulless towns, dirty beaches and awful trashes by the side of the road. These are enough reasons why I’ve planned not to go back there again.

Same way Ninh Binh is underrated. There are quite a few reasons why I had to say like this. When I was fixing destinations for my last trip, I wasn’t sure how I would spend my last day in Vietnam. My flight was at midnight at 2 AM, so I had to add at least one destination to my itinerary list. Since I was near to Hanoi (Capital of Vietnam), I decided to visit Ninh Binh, the “Halong Bay inland”.

I was overwhelmed after reaching there. Besides beautiful scenery, I enjoyed delicious cuisine made from goat, stunning Phat Diem church, ancient pagodas, Limestone Mountains, boat peddler journey to the cave, peaceful and tranquil panorama at Van Long, rice fields and many more.

Though it was a tight schedule, I climbed Hang Mua Peak. It took 400 steps! But after reaching the top, it was a rewarded opportunity to view stunning scenery around. Make sure you carry a pair of long-range observation binoculars or else you might miss the opportunity to view the outstanding natural landscape.

The trip made me think why travelers visit Ninh Binh on a day trip? I mean there are so many interesting things to do in this destination that would take you at least 2 days to cover the 60%! Let it surprise you at the end of the day!

Food

(Street food, coffee, wine)

Vietnam has the most delicious and cheap street food around the world. You can get soup, spring rolls, bun cha, great coffee, meat/veggie lovers sandwiches along with a number of traditional hot beverages. if you are one to try new and exotic wines, the local wine has a particular bite to it.

Shopping and relaxation

Make sure you dress appropriately when in Vietnam; the rule of thumb is to observe the locals. Bring your nice clothes; avoid looking like a hippie if you don’t want to offend the locals. If you want to shop out in the street markets, turn on your haggling skill. be sure not to put your iPhone or purse on the counters or tables when you are browsing for your favorite sporting gear.

Another tip is to get your clothing tailored for cheap while you are there. Also, the local hair salons and spas offer many luxurious and cost-efficient head and full body massages. after your day-long adventures, you can just grab a massage and relax.

All stocked photos are found by the Author

Author Bio: 

Maria August

I’m a freelance writer, outdoor enthusiast, traveler, and coffee addict! My passion is to explore new places, discover hidden gems across the globe, photograph them and have an adventurous spirit as well. I choose to be a writer by day and reader by night. If you wanna get in touch with me- follow me on facebook and twitter. Currently, I’m working with https://huntingfrog.com/best-binoculars/

The post 11 Important Things To Know Before Your Trip in Vietnam appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

Day 1

How did we get our Vietnamese Dong?

Where did we go?

THIS IS WHERE WE GOT SCAMMED!

Then after that, we did not have any choice but to take a cab going to Hanoi Opera House as it was far from this temple. BUT we still considered the fact that the taxi drivers would cheat us. We were walking around the streets again then the two locals we’ve asked earlier were near us and APPROACHED us again if we needed their help. Good thing they are super nice and helpful that they offered us to book a GRAB car to be able to reach the next destination. That’s the smartest and biggest help he had done to us!!!! Thanks God, there are still nice people on earth His name is Nguyen Minh Duong! Thanks Duong! He lives in Saigon but their work just allocated them in Hanoi for a week.

DAY 2

The post Vietnam at a Glance! Our Hanoi Itinerary and Travel Tips | Vietnam Travel Story appeared first on Maze Vietnam.