The first things to bring on a trip are your passport, plane tickets, IDs, and your itinerary that has the details of your flight, hotel reservation, and even vouchers you purchased in advance. You can print them out or save this to your phone.
Even if you are fit and healthy, don’t travel without health insurance – accidents do happen. Declare any existing medical conditions you have – the insurance company will check if your problem is pre-existing and will not cover you if it is undeclared. You may require extra cover for adventure activities such as rock climbing. If your health insurance doesn’t cover you for medical expenses abroad, consider getting extra insurance. If you’re uninsured, emergency evacuation is expensive; bills of over US$100 are not uncommon. You should find out in advance if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or if they reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. (Note that in many countries doctors expect payment in cash.) Some policies offer lower and higher medical-expense options; the higher ones are chiefly for countries that have extremely high medical costs, such as the USA.
You may prefer a policy that pays doctors or hospitals directly rather than you having to pay on the spot and claim later. If you have to claim later, make sure you keep all documentation. Some policies ask you to call back (reverse charges) to a centre in your home country where an immediate assessment of your problem is made.
The only vaccine required by international regulations is yellow fever. Proof of vaccination will only be required if you have visited a country in the yellow-fever zone within the six days prior to entering Vietnam. If you are travelling to Vietnam from Africa or South America you should check to see if you require proof of vaccination. Specialised travel-medicine clinics are your best source of information; they stock all available vaccines and will be able to give specific recommendations for you and your trip. The doctors will take into account factors such as past vaccination history, the length of your trip, activities you may be undertaking, and underlying medical conditions, such as pregnancy.
Most vaccines don’t produce immunity until at least two weeks after they’re given, so visit a doctor four to eight weeks before departure. Ask your doctor for an International Certificate of Vaccination (otherwise known as the yellow booklet), which will list all the vaccinations you’ve received. In the US, the yellow booklet is no longer issued, but it is highly unlikely the Vietnam authorities will ask for proof of vaccinations (unless you have recently been in a yellow-fever affected country).
Pack medications in their original, clearly labelled, containers. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your medical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity. If you have a heart condition bring a copy of your ECG taken just prior to travelling.
Vietnam Travel Tips: If you happen to take any regular medication bring double your needs in case of loss or theft. In most Southeast Asian countries you can buy many medications over the counter without a doctor’s prescription, but it can be difficult to find some of the newer drugs, particularly the latest antidepressant drugs, blood pressure medications and contraceptive pills.
Antibacterial cream, eg Muciprocin
Antibiotics for skin infections, eg Amoxicillin/Clavulanate or Cephalexin
Antibiotics for diarrhoea, eg Norfloxacin or Ciprofloxacin; Azithromycin for bacterial diarrhoea; and Tinidazole for giardiasis or amoebic dysentery
Antifungal cream, eg Clotrimazole
Antihistamines for allergies, eg Cetrizine for daytime and Promethazine for night
Anti-inflammatories, eg Ibuprofen
Antinausea medication, eg Prochlorperazine
Antiseptic for cuts and scrapes, eg Betadine
Antispasmodic for stomach cramps, eg Buscopa
Contraceptives
Decongestant for colds and flus, eg Pseudoephedrine
DEET-based insect repellent
Diarrhoea ‘stopper’, eg Loperamide
First-aid items such as scissors, plasters (Band Aids), bandages, gauze, thermometer (electronic, not mercury), sterile needles and syringes, safety pins and tweezers
Indigestion medication, eg Quick Eze or Mylanta
Iodine tablets (unless you are pregnant or have a thyroid problem) to purify water laxatives, eg Coloxyl
Migraine medication (your personal brand), if a migraine sufferer
Oral-rehydration solution for diarrhoea, eg Gastrolyte
Paracetamol for pain
Permethrin (to impregnate clothing and mosquito nets) for repelling insects
Steroid cream for allergic/itchy rashes, eg 1% to 2% hydrocortisone
Sunscreen and hat
Throat lozenges
Thrush (vaginal yeast infection) treatment, eg Clotrimazole pessaries or Diflucan tablet
Urrine alkalisation agent, eg Ural, if you’re prone to urinary tract infections.
5. You might need a travel adapter
The standard voltage in Vietnam is 220V with a frequency of 50Hz, and the typical plug types are A (2 vertical pins), C (2 round pins), and F (Schuko plug).
While these plug types are pretty standard in most countries, it’s important to check the voltage compatibility before trying to plug your device into a socket in Vietnam. If your device runs at a different voltage, it’s best to invest in a good travel adapter. This travel plug works in 150 countries and has four USB sockets, so you never have to worry about keeping your devices juiced up.
6. Toiletries List
Make sure that you have an easy-to-carry small bag where you can place your toiletries, such as travel soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, tissues, toothbrush, insect repellant, sunscreen, and towel. Don’t forget your umbrella, hat, and sunglasses.
The clothes you will bring and wear in Vietnam depend on your itinerary and the month you are traveling to the country. Vietnam is generally hot and humid but also heavily wet from rains during the monsoon season. Here’s a quick view of the weather in Vietnam:
Northern Vietnam
November – April: winter
May – October: summer with rains in the middle (July – September)
Central Vietnam
January – July: hot and dry
October – November: rainy season and the possibility of typhoons
South Vietnam
Early May – November; July/August: wettest
November – late April: dry
You can exchange your money for Vietnamese dong (VND) at banks, hotels, and gold and jewelry shops. A common joke among travelers is that you can be an instant millionaire in Vietnam. One US dollar is equivalent to 20,000-23,000.
There are Vietin Bank and Exim Bank currency exchange stalls at Tan Son Nhat Airport (HCMC) and Noi Bai Airport (Ha Noi) but their exchange rate won’t be favorable. Meanwhile, ATMs in Vietnam can only dispense VND, and they can be found in big cities like Saigon, Ha Noi, and Da Nang.
In Vietnam, tourist sites and places like hotels, high-end restaurants, and shopping malls are the ones that usually accept common credit cards and debit cards.
9. Basic Vietnamese Greetings
Here are some basic greetings in Vietnam you may want to learn before your trip:
