Vietnam Travel Hacks: Visa, Currency, Flights & Local Food Tips

Planning a trip to Vietnam can feel exciting but also little confusing in the beginning. Many Indian families and couples are choosing Vietnam now because it is affordable and not too difficult to travel around. Flights from India are available to multiple cities, and once you reach there, moving between places is mostly simple.

Cities like Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City are usually included in most travel plans. Each place feels different in its own way. Hanoi has older streets, busy markets and lakes around the city. Da Nang feels more relaxed and is known for beaches and scenic roads. Ho Chi Minh City is bigger and much more crowded, with modern buildings and traffic almost everywhere.

Before travelling, there are few small things that many first time travellers do not realise. They are not big problems, but knowing them earlier can make the trip smoother.

Be Careful While Applying for the Vietnam E Visa

Most Indian travellers need an e visa before entering Vietnam. The application is online and the process itself is not very complicated. But the confusing part is when searching for the visa website.

Many websites appear and some of them look official. Actually a lot of them are agent websites which charge extra service fees. For example, a traveller may think they are applying through the government website but later realise the cost is higher because of extra charges.

Because of this, it is better to apply through the official website of the Vietnam Immigration Department.

Another small but helpful tip is to take screenshots during the application. Sometimes the confirmation email after payment does not arrive quickly. If that happens it becomes difficult to track the visa application. A screenshot of the payment page and application number helps a lot in that situation.

Booking Flights Directly From Airline Websites

Many travellers book flight tickets through third party travel apps. Sometimes the prices look a bit cheaper there, so people choose that option.

But problems can appear if changes are needed later. For example, correcting a spelling mistake in the passenger name or adding baggage can become slow through third party platforms.

In some cases travellers also realise that the PNR given by the app does not work properly on the airline website, which makes it harder to manage the booking. Another issue people sometimes face is during flight delays or cancellations. Instead of speaking directly with the airline, travellers have to contact the booking app first, and that process can take time.

Booking directly from airline websites often makes things easier. Airlines such as VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines allow travellers to manage their bookings directly on their website. For families travelling together this can save time and stress.

Trying Local Food Can Save Money

Food is one of the best parts of travelling in Vietnam. Many Indian travellers first search for Indian restaurants after arriving. Indian food is available in tourist areas but usually the price is higher.

Local Vietnamese food is much cheaper and easy to find almost everywhere. Small restaurants and street stalls serve noodles, rice dishes and soups throughout the day.

For example, a bowl of noodles might cost around 40,000 to 60,000 dong. The number looks very big at first, but after converting it the price is actually quite reasonable. Because of this, trying local food is often the better option if someone wants to save money during the trip.

But that doesn’t mean Indian food is not available. If someone really wants it after a few days, Indian restaurants can still be found in major tourist areas.

Vegetarian travellers sometimes worry about food options. In Vietnam, vegetarian restaurants are often called An Chay restaurants. Searching for this term on maps usually shows several options nearby.

The Currency Can Feel Confusing

The Vietnamese currency surprises many travellers in the beginning.

Vietnam uses Vietnamese Dong and the notes have many zeros. Seeing prices like 50,000 or 100,000 dong can look very expensive at first. Some travellers feel shocked when they see the number.

For example, a drink might cost 30,000 dong. It looks like a lot of money, but after conversion it is actually not very expensive.

Because of this it is always good to check the number carefully before paying. After one or two days most travellers get used to the currency.

Carry US Dollars Instead of Indian Rupees

For Indian travellers, carrying US dollars often works better than carrying Indian Rupees.

Many exchange counters in Vietnam prefer dollars and the exchange rate is usually better as well. Indian Rupees are not accepted everywhere and sometimes the rate offered for them is lower.

Because of this some travellers convert money into US dollars in India first, and then exchange those dollars into Vietnamese Dong after reaching Vietnam.

Avoid Exchanging Too Much Money at the Airport

After landing in cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City travellers will see many currency exchange counters at the airport.

These counters are convenient but the exchange rates are often lower than those in the city. Many travellers exchange only a small amount at the airport first. For example, just enough money for transport or food.

Later inside the city better exchange rates can usually be found.

Jewellery Shops Sometimes Exchange Currency

Something that surprises many visitors is that jewellery shops sometimes exchange foreign currency.

In busy areas of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City some jewellery stores exchange US dollars into Vietnamese Dong. The rates there can sometimes be slightly better than airport counters.

Even then it is always good to confirm the rate clearly and count the money before leaving.

Getting Around the City

Transportation inside Vietnamese cities is not very difficult once travellers understand the system.

Instead of stopping taxis randomly on the street, many travellers use ride hailing apps. The most common one is Grab.

The app shows the price before booking and also tracks the ride. This helps travellers avoid confusion about taxi fares.

Learn a Few Simple Vietnamese Words

English is spoken in many tourist places, but not everywhere. Knowing a few basic Vietnamese words can help during small interactions in shops, markets, or taxis. Even trying a few words often makes locals smile.

Some simple words travellers can remember are:

• Xin chào – Hello
• Cảm ơn – Thank you
• Tạm biệt – Goodbye
• Xin lỗi – Excuse me / Sorry

Pronunciation may not always be perfect, but locals usually appreciate the effort.

Booking Tours Can Sometimes Make Travel Easier

Vietnam has many beautiful places outside the big cities. But planning every small thing on your own can sometimes feel little tiring, specially for families or couples travelling from India.

Because of that, many travellers prefer booking a tour with a reliable vietnam tour curator or travel company. It just makes things easier overall. This is quite common when visiting places around Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City where many popular attractions are located few hours away.

For example, many day tours already include transport, a guide and a simple schedule for the day. So travellers don’t have to worry about finding buses, understanding routes or negotiating taxi prices again and again.

For families travelling with parents, or couples who just want a more relaxed trip, joining a well organised tour can make the experience much smoother. The trip feels more easy, and people can focus more on enjoying the place rather than planning every small detail.

Vietnam is a good destination for couples and families who want an international trip without extremely high expenses. The country offers lively cities, beaches, markets and good food.

A little preparation before travelling can make the trip smoother. Applying for the visa through the official immigration website, keeping screenshots during the process, booking flights directly with airlines and understanding the currency system can help avoid small travel problems.

Once these details are sorted, travellers can simply enjoy exploring Vietnam and experiencing its culture.