7 Travel Tips for Hanoi - Vietnam
When traveling in Vietnam, like many other countries, there are things you can do, and things you shouldn't do!It is often hard to know whats right and whats wrong. The good news is the when you travel in Vietnam, you really have to try hard to upset the locals. Vietnamese are so forgiving, it's almost rediculous!
To make sure you travel respectfully, try and remember these little pointers, the local will love you for it!
1. Dress modestly when visiting Pagoda's, Church's, Hisotrical sites or a local's house. Modestly generally means shoulders covered and pants (or shorts down to the knees)
2. Ask before you take photographs of people. Thinks about it, if you when in your front yard pruning your roses or enjoy a coffee with a friend and bus load of tourist got and started taking your photo, would you throw your shovel/coffee mug at them? I would! So ask first!
3. Leave you valuables in the hotel safe. Most hotels have a safe at reception and they'll issue you with a reciept for stuff left. If you're heading to the local market to photo's or the local Bia Hoi for a drinking session, do you really need your plane tickets, credit card, passport, excess cash etc? Leave it behind!
4. Do not whistle or point at other people, it is considered rude.
5. He who invites pays. In Vietnam, if you "invite" someone for drinks or dinner, it is common practice that the person who initated the invite pays the bill!
6. Agree on a price before catching a Cyclo or Xe Om (motor bike taxi). It's best for both you and the driver to know the agreed price befor heading off.
7. Carry a hotel business card everywhere you go! It's so easy to get lost in a new city, yet so hard to say "Take me to ABC Hotel" to a local cyclo/taxi driver that doesn't speak English! This business card can save your life!